Abstract. The Philippines is a source, transit and a destination country of victims of trafficking, especially children and women. Within the country itself, hundreds of minors dissolve into prostitution and other different forms of abusive work. Scattered and invisible, they become very hard to reach and rescue. While this problem has been there for so long, a comprehensive set of strategies of prevention, prosecution and protection must still be sustained.

On May 26, 2003, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo finally signed Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. The law criminalizes the trafficking of persons into sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage. It also provides a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to P5 million.

The newly signed law also mandates the creation of a Council that strengthens measures to protect victims, including mandatory provision of emergency shelters, counseling, free legal services and skills trainings.

This law will only be as good as its implementation. Government, the business sector and civil society groups must work together. No single agency can effectively deal with the massiveness of the problem. Together, the responses must comprehensively aim to prevent, prosecute and protect cases of trafficking.

In this light, the Visayan Forum Foundation has already spearheaded the setting up of a National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons last April 2003. It broadly aims to provide direct action, build capacities of partners, advocate for policy reforms and network with local and international agencies.

Parallel to the efforts of other existing task forces, this new synergy shall work beyond policy advocacy. This synergy quickly acts on visible cases of trafficking, in ports and beyond, and in transit areas where attempts by recruiters can be stopped. This quick response mechanism has already started while recognizing that there is still a need to speedily work on a formal memorandum of agreement (MOA).

There is a need to build the legal personality of the task force on solid rock. This further enhances the legal ground of field implementors to proactively intercept and prosecute suspected traffickers. There must also be clear roles and functions of each agency in carrying out such sensitive actions.

In the same vein, the proper and sustained way to protect and reintegrate victims demands sensitivity and higher commitment. Most victims may find it hard to report the abuses they undergo because they fear harsh retaliation. They also fear that their economically superior recruiters will get back at their families in the provinces. The task force members have committed to provide a comprehensive array of protective services to encourage victims to pursue successful criminal cases. Multidisciplinary efforts that treat trafficked individuals as victims and not as criminals is a high priority of the task force.

The overall success of the convergence of actions is hoped to enhance the evolution of each task force member's traditional mandates. This will help sustain the country's efforts to make a dent on the trafficking problem.

Workshop Design

As a strategic planning process, the two-day workshop intends to gather partners:

• To agree on the nature and purpose of the task force;
• To identify areas of coordination between and among partners; and
• To formulate a three-year strategic plan.

While there is already an existing core group member of partners working on the task force, there is a need to involve as many partners who are willing to contribute to the national comprehensive program against trafficking. This strategic planning exercise is therefore a very inclusive approach of social mobilization towards genuine sustainability.