HOLGANZA: Tracking system deters trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has recently approved a resolution urging all barangays to establish a registry or tracking system on the whereabouts of their constituents.

PB Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza, sponsor of the resolution, said the system will serve as a mechanism to combat human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

“As a deterrent against illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons, barangay officials should establish a tracking system on the whereabouts of their constituents who will travel to other places in pursuit of one’s calling, trade or profession, especially students, workers among others,” the resolution read.

Holganza said that despite stiff penalties imposed by laws, reports on illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons continue to hog the headlines of local and national media.

The laws include the Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act of 2033 or Republic Act 9208 and Making Illegal Recruitment a Crime of Economic Sabotage and Punishable with Life Imprisonment or Presidential Decree No. 2018, among others.

With this, Holganza said there is a need for the government to intensify further its campaign against illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons at the barangays, where crime syndicates or nefarious elements usually prey on the innocent rural folks.

In an interview, Holganza said it will be voluntary on the part of the barangay to adapt the system.

He said tracking will be done by way of tracing their constituents who are no longer in the list of households in the recent Census record.

Once the missing person is identified, Holganza said the barangay will get the contact number and contact the person through his parents or relatives, especially those who are minors.

The PB member admitted though that this system is feasible on small barangays; larger barangays might need a more sophisticated system, he said. He said they have already started implementing the system in their barangay in Baod, Bantayan.

He said mostly in small barangays, high school graduates either proceed to community colleges in other places or apply for jobs in the cities.

Holganza cited Section 11 of the Constitution which provides that “the state values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.”

In pursuit of this Constitutional policy, he said, it is the duty of the state to enact measures and develop programs that will promote human dignity and safeguard the rights of the people from any threat of violence or use of force, deception or any other extra-legal means for the purpose of exploitation or in the pursuit of wicked ends. - THE FREEMAN