Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc. (VF) is a Philippine-based NGO established in 1991 known for its innovative work for empowerment of vulnerable migrants especially victims of human trafficking, domestic servitude and other forms of exploitation through building social movements, advocating for policies and delivering of services.
VF is recognized for its pioneering efforts in advocating the recognition, development and full legal protection of domestic workers in the Philippines. It has helped organize the Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Manggagawang Pantahanan sa Pilipinas (SUMAPI), a national organization of domestic workers. VFFI, along with SUMAPI and its local and international partners, has been lobbying for the passage of the Batas Kasambahay (Domestic Worker’s Bill) in order to uplift the situation of our local domestic workers by ensuring their well-being and protection.
VF is located in 20 provinces and cities with 11 offices. It provides assistance to trafficking victims by providing them shelter in seven halfway houses in sea ports (Manila, Batangas, Iloilo, Matnog, Surigao, Davao and Zamboanga) and in the Manila International Airport. Trafficking victims are given legal assistance and psychosocial aid through counselling and life skills training to name a few.
VFFI’s work with child domestic workers has been cited by ILO-IPEC and the United Nations Girls Education Initiative (UNGEI) as an international best practice. Its anti-trafficking partnership with the Philippine government and private shipping companies was also hailed as one of the international best practices by the U.S. State Department in its 2005 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.
