The Negros Oriental Provincial Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking decided to pass a resolution requiring minors travelling with or without an adult even within the country to first secure a clearance from the barangay and the local social welfare office.

In a meeting with PIACAT, coordinator Romualdo Señeres of the Visayan Forum said this concern is important due to the cases of minors who are believed victims of illegal recruitment in Negros Oriental, its press release said.

The Department of Labor and Employment intercepted over 300 sugar migratory workers late last year from Negros Oriental, including 40 suspected minors, who were illegally recruited and bound for Tarlac province.

PIACAT has called on local officials to strengthen and intensify efforts in thwarting human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

To prevent child labor and trafficking, a travel clearance will be issued to a minor travelling within the country. The guideline is adopted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Administrative Order 19 or the rule for minors traveling abroad.

Señeres said the resolution will be endorsed to concerned local government units or Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

He also reported that early this year, five victims of trafficking from Mabinay and Tanjay City were rescued in San Jose-Tabuk Zamboanga City.

Negros Oriental is known as the “sending province of child workers” in the country, with the victims hired as domestic helpers for Malaysia without proper documents, the PIACAT said.

“With the ordinance requiring minor to secure permit to travel even within the country, trafficking or child labor problems will be prevented or minimized,” Señeres said.*RG

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