Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc. launched its new Anti-Trafficking Program supported by Plan Philippines last March 13, 2004 with a memorandum of agreement signing and a brief program with children. Plan Philippines Country Director Supriyanto and Visayan Forum Executive Director Ma. Cecilia Flores Oebanda signed the one-year memorandum of agreement to operate the Matnog halfway house and conduct networking and capacity-building initiatives among partners in selected areas.

Children from the Paco-Pandacan community attended the MOA-signing and gave a creative presentation on the issue of trafficking. Ms. Flores-Oebanda gave a presentation on the situation of trafficking in the Philippines and an overview of the Plan-Visayan Forum partnership. After the MOA signing, parents from the Paco-Pandacan community kicked off the festivities with cultural dances. Several creative presentations from children and youth followed.

The two organizations agreed to join efforts to achieve their mutual objective of contributing in the efforts to curb cases of internal trafficking. Plan Philippines agreed to support the operation of the Matnog halfway house in Sorsogon. Matnog connects Visayas to Luzon, thus its title as the "gateway to the north". The Matnog halfway house intercepts women and children victims of trafficking that are still in transit from the southern provinces to Luzon. Under the new program, Visayan Forum will be conducting capacity-building, networking and advocacy in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar and Leyte.

Plan-Philippines Grants and Sponsorships Manager Mark Dasco along with Plan-Germany National Director Marianne Raven and Program Manager Heide-Marie Schleizer also attended the event.