The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reaffirmed the Philippines’ strong commitment to combat trafficking in persons in the ASEAN region by pushing for outcome-based monitoring of regional efforts, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for data-driven governance and strengthened regional cooperation.

As lead agency for the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC)-Philippines, the DILG underscored the importance of using the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning (MERL) Framework to measure not just activities, but the actual results and impact of anti-trafficking initiatives. This direction is fully aligned with the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP).

“We have collectively laid the groundwork by establishing the necessary tools and processes to strengthen our regional system for monitoring and reporting on trafficking in persons,” said DILG Assistant Secretary Lilian De Leon.

To help ASEAN stakeholders apply the MERL system effectively, SOMTC-Philippines recently organized the 1st ASEAN Workshop on Monitoring and Reporting of the MERL Framework. The workshop trained officials from ASEAN Member States and sectoral bodies on data harmonization, reporting tools, and coordinated implementation of the ASEAN Multi-Sectoral Work Plan Against Trafficking in Persons 2023–2028 (Bohol TIP Work Plan 2.0).

De Leon urged ASEAN partners to sustain momentum and deepen cooperation. “For the good of ASEAN and in recognition of the valuable contributions of each one, let us carry out this programme with excellence and shared purpose — toward lasting impact and benefit for our entire region,” she said.

The Philippines will continue this push with the hosting of the 2nd MERL Workshop in Manila in February 2026, reinforcing the country’s leadership in promoting evidence-based action and shared accountability across ASEAN. This initiative is supported by the ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking (ASEAN-ACT) program.

Original Article At: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Philippines-Pushes-Outcome-Based-Tracking-in-ASEAN-Anti-Trafficking-Efforts/NC-2025-1165