To further intensify and sustain regional efforts against trafficking in persons (TIP), key representatives from ASEAN Sectoral Bodies from all ASEAN Member States (AMS), including the Philippines, are now working on the development of a new ASEAN cross-sectoral TIP work plan that will build on the gains and lessons of the Bohol TIP Work Plan (BWP).

As voluntary lead shepherd on TIP, DILG Undersecretary Bernardo C. Florece Jr., who is also the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Leader-Philippines and SOMTC Chair of the Working Group on TIP, said that since the BWP wrapped up in 2020, ASEAN cross sectoral bodies recognized the need to embark on the possible development of a Successor Cross Sectoral Work Plan to further counter the menace of TIP.

“Given the complexities and nature of TIP as transborder crime, it is a battle that no single country can fight alone on its own. But the power of the international community could, together, if it intends to,” Florece said during his welcome address at the recently concluded ASEAN Cross-Sectoral Validation Meeting on the Bohol TIP Work Plan in the New Clark City in Pampanga which the SOMTC-Philippines organized.

He said the TIP is a battle that “no single country can fight alone on its own” as he stressed the importance of interdependence and harmony among ASEAN members and the ASEAN Community and the crafting of a successor work plan to solidify efforts and up the ante against TIP.

During the validation meeting, Florece said the ASEAN cross-sectoral delegates saw the value of the Bohol TIP work plan in creating a streamlined, holistic, and inclusive regional approach to address the complex issues and concerns of TIP.

He said that during the review of the BWP, ASEAN delegates noted the significant accomplishments in the campaign against TIP through the BWP such as increased levels of awareness among members of the public and in key communities of TIP, increased reporting of suspected TIP cases to law enforcement officials; more rapid provision of assistance and support services to TIP victims; and improved conduct of repatriation procedures for victims of TIP.

“Through the BWP, TIP cases were also reduced and there were high conviction rates in TIP-related prosecutions. There was also increased collaboration and better coordination among national agencies, international organizations and other stakeholders on TIP-related issues,” he said.

On the other hand, he said the activity also allowed the delegates to take note of the enhancements on the BWP, particularly in institutionalizing a more structured and effective monitoring and reporting system to improve implementation and to develop strategies to more effectively disseminate the BWP at the national and regional levels.

“While the Bohol TIP Work Plan was a game changer in achieving significant strides against this transborder crimes, we will improve the mechanisms and strategies for dissemination and implementation in the successor work plan that we are crafting so that we can address and prevent TIP cases in all fronts,” he said.

National reps for ACTIP

As a way forward, Florece said ASEAN is now moving for the establishment of ACTIP (ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children) national representatives for an effective and efficient channel to facilitate linkages, coordination, and complementarity between regional and national activities to implement ACTIP.

The National ACTIP Representatives shall have the following roles and responsibilities, among others: reporting of National-level ACTIP implementation progress, lessons learned, replicable processes, progress reporting and evolution of government efforts to counter TIP; and coordination, collaboration and consultation with relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies at the national level on countering TIP efforts.

Each National ACTIP Representative will report to the SOMTC Leader and Focal Points of their respective country, assist and support the SOMTC Leader to undertake ACTIP-related functions at national level, and perform other roles and responsibilities based on demands of their countries as requested by their respective SOMTC Leaders.

The activity brought together representatives from SOMTC and other relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, namely the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM), Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM), Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM), Senior Officials Meeting on Education (SOM-ED), Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD), and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), as well as the ASEAN Secretariat.

Composing the Philippine delegation are DILG Undersecretary Bernardo C. Florece Jr., DILG National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO) Assistant Director Debie T. Torres, Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) Executive Director and SOMTC Philippines Head Secretariat Usec. Alfred S. Corpus, PCTC Head Executive Assistant (HEA) Celso L Bael, PCTC Directorate for Plans and Programs OIC Director PLTCOL Deodennis Joy E. Marmol, and Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Ambassador Bruce S. Concepcion.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-ASEAN-sectoral-bodies-in-talks-on-developing-new-work-plan-vs-trafficking-in-persons/NC-2022-1039