El Nido is being eyed as a women and children ”trafficking-free tourism” model town by the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific (CAT-WP).
This was said on March 12 by CAT-WP executive director Jean Enriques during the celebration of the Women’s Month and the 103rd Foundation Day of El Nido.
She said El Nido’s biggest advantage towards the achievement of this goal is its women who are active in participating in municipal issues and policy concerns.
“Dito sa El Nido ay nangunguna tayo sa women sa political part, sa pag-intercept ng environmental issues at women’s rights kaya nais nga po din namin na kayo ay maging modelo pagdating sa trafficking-free tourism,” Enriques said.
She said according to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), one out of four women suffers from abuse which hinders her development.
This problem must be addressed by the local governments through establishing appropriate actions and programs for women.
“Ayon sa NDHS, isa sa bawat apat na Filipina ang nakakaranas ng pisikal, sekswal, at iba pang pang-ekonomiyang pang-aabuso at isa itong realidad na kailangan nating harapin upang maprotektahan ang ating mga kababaihan. Kaya malaking tulong na nag-ce-celebrate tayo ng ganitong okasyon para matugunan ang hinaing ng ating mga kababaihan,” she stated.
Enriques said the staff and personnel of organizations or offices intended to assist women and children must be well-trained in order to provide appropriate support to them and to make them aware of their rights.
She also encouraged establishment owners in El Nido to make sure they are promoting “trafficking-free tourism” to keep women and children safe.
“Sana po ‘yong mga trafficking-free establishments ay makakuha ng pagsasanay kung papaano nila malalabanan o mapipigilan ang trafficking sa kabataan at kababaihan,” she pointed out.
El Nido mayor Nieves Rosento said it will be another achievement for them if they become a “trafficking-free tourism” model town.
Rosento said the women of the town can help make this goal happen because they are vigilant and actively participate resolving issues in the town.
She said the women in El Nido, in fact, took the lead in the implementation of the “No Plastics Policy.”
“Isang adbokasiya na nagsimula lamang sa maliit na pangarap, ngunit sa tulong ng ating mga kababaihan sa kanilang pagtugon at pagtulong ay naipatupad natin ang no plastic policy sa bayan ng Elnido. Nagpapatunay ito na ang mga kababaihan sa El Nido ay bahagi ng pagbabago ng ating bayan,” she said.
