By: Victor B. Dacanay, PITO-La Union

In its bid to boost its capability to combat child trafficking in La Union, the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) chaired by Gov. Manuel C. Ortega, updated its members and other support agencies on the guidelines on the protection of the Rights of Children especially against trafficking during its 1st quarter meeting held last April 14 at the Diego Silang Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building, San Fernando City, La Union.



To clear certain issues, Anniely J. Ferrer, Chief of the Technical Assistance Division of the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD)-Region I, reminded participants that a “child” is any person under 18 years of age or one who is over 18 but is unable to fully take care of or protect himself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of physical or mental disability or condition. She further explained that child trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation, within or outside a country. It can also mean trading and dealing with children including, but not limited to, the act of buying and selling of a child for money, or for any other consideration or barter. The consent of the child or of the person exercising custody over the child to trafficking or any of its elements, is irrelevant and does not exempt the offender from or lessen his liability for committing acts that constitute or promote child trafficking. “Upon identification of a trafficked child or possibly trafficked child, any person should immediately contact the DSWD, Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) or DSWD-licensed/accredited NGOs to assist in responding to the immediate needs of the child” she emphasized.



She also enumerated principles which should be considered in all stages of care and protection of trafficked children which includes Rights of the Trafficked Child; Best Interests of the Child; Right to Non-discrimination; Respect for the Views of the Trafficked Child; Right to Information; Right to Confidentiality; Responsibility of the State; and Respect for the Child’s Ethnic, Cultural, Faith and Religious Identity.

Source: www.launion.gov.ph