The Palawan provincial government is coordinating efforts to repatriate 18 residents reportedly affected by alleged illegal recruitment in Malaysia, while pursuing measures to strengthen protection against human trafficking, violence against women and children, and child labor.
The cases were discussed during the third-quarter meetings of the Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (PCAT-VAWC) and the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) on Sept. 24, according to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
During the PCAT-VAWC meeting, members discussed the status of an alleged human trafficking case in Coron and the situation of the 18 Palawan residents in Malaysia. The provincial government said coordination is ongoing for their repatriation and to address their needs.
The committee also discussed preparations for the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, including a planned orientation on anti-human trafficking laws for tourism workers and other stakeholders in Coron.
Other priorities included capacity-building activities for local committees, monitoring and evaluation, and maintaining an updated database to guide future interventions.
To strengthen referral and response mechanisms, the committee agreed to seek support from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for an orientation on the Enhanced National Referral Mechanisms for its members.
The meeting also tackled the reconstitution of the PCAT-VAWC under Administrative Order No. 40, including clearer designation of representatives from member agencies to ensure continued participation and the committee’s functionality.
Meanwhile, the PCPC meeting focused on child protection, child labor, early childhood education and other programs for children’s welfare.
The council emphasized the need to strengthen early childhood care and development (ECCD) services to prepare children for formal schooling. It also discussed improving coordination and information-sharing among ECCD service providers, schools, parents and other stakeholders to ensure continued support for children’s developmental needs.
Proposed measures include strengthening the transition from ECCD to kindergarten and using the ECCD Checklist to monitor children’s development.
The council also resolved to strengthen cooperation among the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment and the Provincial Government of Palawan through a memorandum of agreement.
The proposed agreement seeks to formalize coordination, data-sharing, referrals, monitoring and the implementation of programs and interventions for children engaged in child labor and their families.
The PSWDO said the meetings aim to ensure that issues affecting women and children are followed by concrete action and coordinated interventions.
“Layunin ng mga pagpupulong na matiyak na ang mga usaping nakaaapekto sa kababaihan at mga bata ay hindi lamang natatalakay, kundi nasusundan ng konkretong pagkilos, koordinasyon, referral, at angkop na intervention mula sa mga kaukulang ahensya at katuwang,” ayon sa PSWDO.
The initiatives are aligned with the provincial government’s Palawan+Plus Governance Framework under Gov. Amy Roa Alvarez, particularly CAREGOV, which promotes a people-first approach to public service, and SYNERGOV, which emphasizes cooperation among government agencies, schools, families and other stakeholders.
