THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) lauded the recognition of Philippine efforts towards the elimination of human trafficking, as the country maintained its Tier-1 status in the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the US Department of State last July 2.

"Maintaining our Tier 1 status validates the whole-of-government efforts of the DFA and other IACAT [Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking] member-agencies as well as affirms the procedures in place in support of interagency coordination towards the provision of appropriate and timely services to our kababayan [compatriots] who are victims of trafficking," Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola said.

The report states that the Philippine government "fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking" and that it demonstrates "serious and sustained efforts" during the reporting period.

The report also noted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the government's anti-trafficking capacity but that it still managed to sustain its efforts and remain on Tier 1.

It recognized the prosecution of more traffickers than the previous reporting period, the increase in the number of prosecutors assigned to anti-trafficking task forces and the number of staff to its anti-trafficking coordination body, the opening of a specialized shelter and one-stop service center in Manila and providing assistance to more than a thousand victims.

Moreover, the report also captured the DFA's allocation of P1 billion ($20.76 million) for its Assistance to Nationals Fund (ATN). The fund was used to cover airfare, meal allowance, shelter, medical care and other needs of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). It also noted the DFA's Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) with an annual allocation of P200 million ($4.15 million).

The US State Department also took note of the DFA providing assistance to some 2,575 potential victims of human trafficking in 2020, "a significant decrease" compared to previous cases totaling 3,581 victims of trafficking and 4,479 victims of illegal recruitment.

The DFA was also reported assisting in the repatriation of 327,511 Filipino workers who had lost their jobs or had not been paid wages as a result of the pandemic.

"Proof of our commitment to combat TIP is our action in Syria," Arriola added. "Maintaining our Tier 1 status in this report somehow tells us that we are on the right track and we are in the right."

In February, 34 trafficking victims staying at the Philippine Embassy were repatriated from Syria, leading to a totally emptied shelter on all wards as of June 2021.

The DFA said it is redoubling its repatriation efforts amidst the ongoing pandemic.

On President Duterte's instructions, as suggested by Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. "the DFA is also providing P10,000 reintegration assistance to repatriated distressed overseas Filipinos," the DFA added.

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