Council pushes ordinance requiring travel permits for minors locallyMove to prevent child trafficking

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 23 (PIA) -- The Provincial Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (PIACAT) of Negros Oriental moved to pass a resolution requiring minors travelling with or without an adult within the country to secure a clearance first from the barangay and local social welfare officer. 

In a meeting with PIACAT recently, Visayas coordinator Romulado Señeres of Visayan Forum said this concern is vital due to the cases of minors who are believed victims of illegal recruitment in Negros Oriental. 

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

With this, the PIACAT called on local officials to strengthen and intensify efforts in thwarting human trafficking and illegal recruitment. 

As a measure to prevent child labor and trafficking, this travel clearance will be issued to a minor who is below 18 years of age, adopting some Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Administrative Order No. 19 guidelines for minors traveling abroad. 

Señeres said the resolution will be endorsed to the local government units or provincial board. 

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

It was also reported that Negros Oriental is noted as the sending province of child workers in the country. The victims were hired as domestic helpers for Malaysia without proper documents.

“With the ordinance requiring minor to secure permit to travel even within the country, trafficking or child labor problems will be prevented or minimized from the barangay,” said Señeres. (mbcn/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)