Philippines

Bantay Bata 163 is a child welfare program launched in 1997 to protect disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services. It includes the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and abused children, training and advocacy on child abuse prevention, rehabilitation of families in crisis, educational scholarships, community outreach and medical and dental missions.

ALTER aims to increase access to ethical recruitment channels for OFWs by supporting wider adoption of ethical recruitment principles in the Philippines, and creating an enabling environment for employers and recruiters to commit to and practice those principles. ALTER will be implemented by a consortium that includes the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Diginex, and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. The consortium will improve recruitment industry practices by supporting and incentivizing the effective, sustainable adoption of ethical recruitment in the Philippines, with particular emphasis on hospitality workers.

Specialises in the investigation of all TIP cases nationwide. Conducts investigation, arrests and files criminal action against Trafficking in Persons Offenders. Conducts rescue operation of victims of Trafficking in Persons and other similar abuses.

AMLC is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It assists IACAT and law enforcement agencies in the financial investigation of trafficking in persons cases as a predicate offense of money laundering. It acts on the request of IACAT and law enforcement agencies for issuance of freeze orders and institution on civil forfeiture proceedings against the assets of the traffickers.

AOS is an Apostolate of the Catholic Church for seafarers, with an international network of more than 100 Stella Maris Centres and about 300 AOS offices throughout the world. It has given training to spouses and partners of fishermen and seafarers in the Philippines on the knowledge and tools to deal with human trafficking and slavery at sea.

Bahay Tuluyan delivers a range of social services and programs aimed at preventing and responding to abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines. It operates several social enterprises that provide opportunities for young people to receive training and income in a just and supportive context.

Batis Center for Women handles cases of trafficking, illegal recruitment, unjust working conditions, family abandonment, domestic violence and other forms of violence against Filipino women migrant workers. It provides direct welfare services to Filipino migrant women returnees through a reintegration program that includes the planning and establishment of business opportunities for women returnees.

Ople Center is an NGO member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). It monitors human trafficking cases involving Filipino migrant workers and provides assistance from repatriation to reintegration to OFWs.

BI is a member of IACAT. It strictly administers and enforces immigration and alien administration laws. It is responsible for adopting measures for the apprehension of suspected traffickers both at the place of arrival and departure. It ensures compliance by the Filipino fiancés/fiancées and spouses of foreign nationals with the guidance and counseling requirement.

The Bureau has a Migrant Health Unit that handles and facilitates the repatriation of migrant workers with medical needs.

CURE runs community outreach and residential aftercare programs in Cebu to provide and promote access to health, nutrition and education to child victims of trafficking and sexual abuse.

Responsible for addressing cases of all forms of violence against children. Measures taken can include both preventive and protective / remedial ones.

CPN’s work centers on increasing the accessibility of services for abused children in the Philippines. It helps establish Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs) in state-supported hospitals, thereby creating a “safe haven” where an abused child can seek not just medical intervention but also other services that facilitate recovery from trauma and stigmatization. CPN also trains frontliners such as judges, prosecutors, social workers, and police officers in the field of child protection.

CATW is an NGO member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). It is a Philippines-based international network of feminist groups, organizations and individuals fighting the sexual exploitation of women globally.

CFO is a member of IACAT. It promotes and protects the interests, rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos. It conducts Guidance and Counseling Program to Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals, and such other counseling intervention to other Filipinos whom these foreign nationals may sponsor for travel or residence overseas. It provides pre-departure registration services for Filipino emigrants including Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals. It also maintains a watch list database of foreign nationals with history of domestic violence, multiple sponsorship, marital infidelity, involvement in human trafficking and mail-order bride-scheme, child abuse, fraud and other derogatory record, including information on local or foreign marriage brokers.

CHR is the Philippines’ National Human Rights Institution and an ex-officio member of IACAT. It conducts advocacy and training programs relating to anti-trafficking, investigates and recommends for prosecution violations of the Act, provides legal and financial assistance to victims of trafficking, integrates anti-trafficking efforts in the Barangay Human Rights Action Center, and monitors government compliance with international human rights treaty obligations related to the suppression/elimination of trafficking.

Compassion is a Christ-centered, church-based and child-focused organisation. Compassion in the Philippines focuses on battling OSEC through educating local churches and providing them with resources to fight this abuse. It helps churches form networks with governmental and nongovernmental agencies to prevent and respond to OSEC.

Consuelo Foundation promotes the wellbeing of at-risk children, women and families in the Philippines and works with local government units, local NGOs and other stakeholders to prevent and respond to their abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Independent federation of grassroots-based organizations among indigenous communities in the Cordillera Region, Philippines. CPA is committed to the promotion and defense of indigenous peoples’ rights, human rights, social justice, and national freedom and democracy.

CWC is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It advocates against the trafficking of children. It adopts policies and measures that will protect and promote the rights and welfare of children victims of trafficking and coordinates and monitors their implementation. It addresses issues on trafficking of children through policy and program interventions.

CICC is an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and is chaired by the DICT Secretary. Among its functions are: To monitor cybercrime cases being bandied by participating law enforcement and prosecution agencies; To facilitate international cooperation on intelligence, investigations, training and capacity building related to cybercrime prevention, suppression and prosecution; and to coordinate the support and participation of the business sector, local government units and nongovernment organizations in cybercrime prevention programs and other related projects.

DepEd is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It integrates migration and trafficking messages into the elementary and secondary school curriculum. It has a school training program on cyber safety that is aimed at division offices and teachers to raise awareness among students. It provides basic and non-formal education to trafficked persons. It raises consciousness of boys/men in schools and communities in order to discourage the “demand side” or the use/buying of trafficked women and children.

DFA is a member of IACAT. It is responsible for providing Filipino victims of trafficking overseas with free legal assistance and counsel to pursue legal action against his/her traffickers; assisting in the application for social benefits and/or regular immigration status as may be allowed or provided for by the host country; repatriating trafficked persons, etc.

DOH is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It is responsible for providing health care to victims of trafficking. It strictly implements the rules and regulations governing organ trafficking. It issues policies regarding child trafficking, particularly on children abandoned in the hospitals. It also conducts information campaign for health professionals and hospitals on child trafficking and organ trafficking.

DICT is an ex-officio member of IACAT.

DILG is a member of the IACAT. It has jurisdication over public order and safety in the country. It is responsible for instituting a systematic information and prevention campaign in coordination with relevant agencies. It provides training programs to local government units in coordination with IACAT.

The Secretary of DOJ co-chairs the IACAT. Under the Philippines Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, DOJ is mandated to prosecute persons accused of human trafficking. It is responsible for designating and training special prosecutors who shall handle and prosecute cases of trafficking. DOJ establishes a mechanism for free legal assistance for trafficked persons, in coordination with the DSWD, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and other NGOs and volunteer groups. It provides witness protection to trafficked victims and their families. It recommends the negotiation of mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties with other countries in coordination with the DFA, among others.

A member of the IACAT, DOLE ensures strict implementation and compliance with the rules and guidelines relative to the employment of persons locally and overseas. It monitors, documents and reports cases of trafficking in persons involving employers and labor recruiters locally and overseas. It also provides employment facilitation and livelihood opportunities to trafficked victims/survivors. In coordination with DFA, it provides free temporary shelters and other services to Filipino victims of trafficking overseas.

DOST is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It is responsible for monitoring the promotion of advertisement of trafficking in the Internet.

The Secretary of DSWD co-chairs the IACAT. DSWD provides direct assistance to victims of trafficking. It runs rehabilitative and protective programs for trafficked persons, and provides counseling and temporary shelter for trafficked persons. The shelters offer these basic services: a) psychological support and counseling; b) 24-hour Action Line for crisis calls and technology-based counseling and referral system; c) coordination with DOJ and local law enforcement entities among others. DSWD is also responsible for developing a system for accreditation among NGOs for purposes of establishing centers and programs for intervention in various levels of the community. It also conducts information campaigns for the general public, local communities and schools.

An ex-officio member of IACAT, DOT formulates and implements preventive measures to stop sex tourism packages and other activities of tourism establishments which might contribute to the trafficking in persons in coordination with local government units. It trains tourist security officers on surveillance, investigation and rescue operation strategies.

DOTR is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It provides guidelines for the land, sea and air transport providers to train their personnel in trafficking in persons. It standardizes guidelines for monitoring trafficking in persons in every port.

DAWN supports Filipino migrant domestic workers and their families, through social services, alternative livelihoods, research and advocacy, and education. It offers direct case management, airport and travel assistance for distressed women migrant, temporary shelter, counseling, education, and legal and paralegal assistance. DAWN undertakes research on issues affecting women migrants and their children, and lobbies for laws and policies to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers and their families.

Supports the poor and marginalized communities through community organising and social outreach. It has a project that centers on the rescue of commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC), their psycho-emotional healing and the rebuilding of their dreams. It organises anti-trafficking and child protection campaigns, runs two activity centers and two temporary shelters separate for girls and boys, conducts street education, and facilitates scholarship program.

Freedom Sunday Network Philippines is a collaboration of churches and faith-based organizations that work together to end Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC), and invite others to be part of the fight.

The Fuller Project is an online, US-based, award-winning nonprofit newsroom dedicated to objective, groundbreaking reporting on women, to raise awareness, expose injustice and spur accountability. It has a focus on trafficking and VAW. It particpates in the annual Manila Dialogue which is hosted by IACAT for all of its stakeholders.

Lesbian-initiated, lesbian-run feminist human rights organization that works with LBT in urban poor communities.

Seeks to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities in the Philippines

HI Philippines promotes inclusion of persons with disabilities and their issues in development policies and actions, builds capacities of key local stakeholders, and reduces the impact of natural disasters and conflicts.

IJM Philippines is a NGO member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). It focuses on rescuing children from cybersex trafficking in the Philippines.

IMPACT focuses on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It aims to build awareness of risks and drivers of human trafficking through community-driven initiatives and information campaigns on TIP issues, targeting at-risk communities across BARMM. It will also work on the localization of the existing pre-departure orientation (PDO) modules and materials for BARMM-origin prospective labour migrants, along with capacity building of the PDO service providers, so that the migrants have access to contextualized information and that enables better-informed, safer migration practices.

IACAT is primarily responsible for coordinating, monitoring and overseeing the implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. It is chaired by the Secretary of Justice and co-chaired by the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development. It comprises of the heads of nine government agencies and three NGO members. IACAT has a range of functions and powers including: Formulate a comprehensive and integrated program to prevent and suppress the trafficking in persons; Promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the Act; Coordinate the programs and projects of the various member agencies; Assist in filing of cases against individuals, agencies, institutions or establishments that violate the provisions of the Act; among others.

Support the capacity development of prosecutors within both the DOJ and the Office of the Ombudsman to better handle basic criminal prosecution and corruption cases.

ISWAN’s Southeast Asia Regional Program is based in the Philippines. Focused on promoting and supporting the welfare of seafarers, ISWAN has also partnered the DOJ-IACAT to protect Filipino seafarers and fishermen who have been victimized by human trafficking. They will cooperate in responding and reporting cases of abuse, including through the 1343 hotline for human trafficking and SeafarerHelp of ISWAN.

JPIC-IDC is among NGOs who are at the forefront in the fight against human trafficking through advocacy and related works for the protection and care of children, women and their families.

LCDPF advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of every PWD in the Philippines.

Faith-based organization that organizes and equips trafficked women survivors with leadership skills, livelihood and skills training, caring for children of trafficked survivors, and expanding the advocacy against modern-day slavery. It is run by a group of TIP survivors and has airtime within the IACAT.

Contact point for ASEAN-ACT; Responsible for developing and ensuring CTIP programs in the LGUs are implemented.

NBI is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It undertakes surveillance, investigation and arrest of individuals or persons suspected to be engaged in trafficking. It coordinates closely with other law enforcement agencies to secure concerted efforts for effective investigation and apprehension of suspected traffickers. It also establishes a system to receive complaints and calls to assist trafficked persons and conduct rescue operations.

NCWP serves as the national coordinating body of several national women’s organizations, people’s organizations and councils of women nationwide. Since its inception in 1946, the organization has been instrumental in promoting the socio-economic status of women through implementation of existing laws/policies on women. One of its significant achievements in advocacy works is the creation of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), the National Government Machinery for Women.

NCDA is a national government agency mandated to formulate policies and coordinate the activities of all agencies, whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns. As such, the NCDA is the lead agency tasked to steer the course of program development for persons with disabilities and the delivery of services to the sector.

The National Police Commission which is responsible for the administration and control of the PNP is an attached agency to the DILG.

Prosecutes illegal recruiters and agencies

Contact point for ASEAN-ACT

Responsible for identifying and referring tagged TIP perpetrators to proper authorities.

Responsible for screening possible victims of trafficking who are securing requirements from CFOs either as spouse/fiances of foreigners, study/training overseas, au pair, etc.; Also operates the 1343 Hotline

OSETC sets policy directions, program design standards, advises the President on matters regarding transnational crime, and represents the Philippine government in regional and international fora. It serves as the focal point in coordinating, integrating and evaluating the efforts of law enforcement and other government agencies involved in the campaign against transnational crime.

Office of the Undersecretary and Assistant Secretary is the contact point for ASEAN-ACT; Specialises in handling and prosecuting cases of trafficking.

Responsible for assisting overseas filipino workers.

Contact point for ASEAN-ACT; Responsible for implementing the RRPTP

The Foundation works with street children and their families in Manila. It runs shelters for children who have been physically or sexually abused, drop-in centers, and provides crisis intervention and counselling, etc.

OWWA is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It conducts pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS) and accredit NGOs and other service providers conducting PDOS. It formulates a system of providing free legal assistance to trafficked persons, in coordination with DFA. It helps repatriate trafficked OWWA members, and provide psychosocial and other reintegration services to its members. It also provides airport assistance to all trafficked OWWA members.

A member of IACAT, PCTC undertakes strategic researches on the structure and dynamics of trafficking in persons with transnational crime dimension, predict trends and analyze given factors for the formulation of individual and collective strategies for the prevention and detection of trafficking in persons and the apprehension of criminal elements involved. It helps to strengthen information exchange on trafficking in persons with government agencies, foreign counterparts and international organizations. It also serves as the focal point in international enforcement coordination on trafficking in persons particularly with the INTERPOL and cooperation with regional and international foreign counterparts..

A member of IACAT, Philippine Commission on Women is the country’s primary policy-making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns. It advocates for the inclusion of the issue of trafficking in persons in both its local and international advocacy for women’s issues. It assists the IACAT in the conduct of information dissemination and training on gender-responsive case management, treatment and reporting of trafficking victims to frontline government agencies, NGOs and the general public. It also assist the IACAT in the development of gender responsive documentation system in coordination with other agencies through its monitoring of the situation of women particularly on violence against women, among others.

PFRD is one of the oldest NGOs working to address the needs of disabled persons in the Philippines.

PIA is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It is responsible for enhancing public awareness on trafficking in persons, pertinent laws and possible actions to prevent victimization and re-victimization through public advocacy and distributing appropriate information materials.

Pimaht is a faith-based network in the Philippines that brings together three major denominations – Catholics, Protestants and Evangelicals – to champion the eradication of human trafficking in the Philippines. The network seeks to address 5Ps of TIP: prevention, prosecution, protection, partnership and prayer. It runs the Freedom Sunday Network which is aimed at eliminating OSEC.

Launched in 2019, the Center is a collective law enforcement effort to combat child exploitation across the Philippines. It involves PNP Women and Children’s Protection Center, National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI AHTRAD), the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (UK NCA), and International Justice Mission (IJM).

PNP is a member of the IACAT. It undertakes surveillance, investigation and arrest of individuals or persons suspected to be engaged in trafficking, including in coordination with other law enforcement agencies. It is responsible for establishing a system to receive complaints and calls to assist trafficked persons and conduct rescue operations, and for creating an anti-trafficking section under the Women and Children Protection Desks nationwide. It trains PNP personnel in the comprehensive child and gender sensitive management of TIP cases.

Acts primarily as the central coordinating body for all organ donation and transplantation activities in the Philippines.

POEA sits under the DOLE and is a member of IACAT. It works on preventing trafficking and reducing the vulnerability of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Among its responsibilities are: Implement pre-employment orientation seminars (PEOS) and accredit NGOs and other service providers conducting PEOS; Formulate a system of providing free legal assistance to trafficked persons especially those involving trafficking in the guise of overseas employment; Create a blacklist of recruitment agencies, illegal recruiters and persons facing administrative, civil and criminal complaints for trafficking filed in the receiving country and/or in the Philippines and those agencies, illegal recruiters and persons involved in cases of trafficking.

PSCCJP,Inc. has been working with law enforcement agencies, criminal justice schools and various barangay local government units by training them in the latest investigative trends in the fight against trafficking in persons. Alongside its foreign and local partners, PSCCJP, Inc. has trained nearly all criminal justice schools in the Philippines. It has also ensured the inclusion of laws on trafficking in persons as well as the corollary investigative practices as a requisite course content in all Criminology schools in the country. It is working with the US Department of Justice and the USAID to train law enforcers in digital forensics and environmental crimes investigation, respectively.

Network of Christian non-government organizations and churches with ministry to children-at-risk. PCMN partners local, national and global stakeholders, including the church, to end online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines. It provides aftercare services to rescued children.

Plan works on eradicating the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines. It conducts policy advocacy on relevant bills and works with IACAT.

PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group serves as the primary unit responsible for the implementation of pertinent laws on anti-cybercrime campaigns of the PNP. It focuses on cybercrime offenses, computer-related offenses, and other content-related offenses such as cybersex, child pornography, unsolicited commercial communication, and other related offenses.

Responsible for implementing the Revised Guidelines on the Departure Formalities for International-Bound Filipino passengers.

Focuses on improving work opportunities for Persons with Disability. .

SaferKidsPH aims to keep children safe online through awareness raising; supporting the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of online sexual exploitation of children cases; and improving child protection services in the communities.

SPCC provides a range of psycho-social services to children and women who have been exploited and abused, including home visits, referral, counseling, rescue operation, para-legal, and education.

Focuses on transgender rights advocacy in the Philippines.

Supreme Court is the highest court in the Philippines. It works with the Department of Justice in adjudicating TIP cases. It has the authority to prioritize and expedite TIP cases.

TWHI is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1973 by a Belgian nun, Sr. M. Valeriana Baerts, ICM to provide programs and services to Persons with Disability (PWDs). It supports PWDs to become self-sufficient and contributing members of the society. TWHI programs and services include: Mobility aid assistance, Educational and Medical Assistance, Job Placement program, Livelihood and Sports and Recreation and organizing of fundraising events to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Advocates for the rights of indigenous peoples to be respected, protected and fulfilled worldwide.

TESDA is an ex-officio member of IACAT. It provides skills and entrepreneurial training to trafficked victims and formulates a special program to ensure the provision of appropriate skills training for trafficked victims.

LGBT support group which provides support services for LGBT students and promotes awareness of LGBT issues in the universities.

CPC Partnership seeks to increase prevention efforts and protections for child victims of online sexual exploitation and child labor trafficking in the Philippines, and holding perpetrators of these crimes accountable. IJM works on building law enforcement and prosecution capacity in known and detected hotspots; strengthening holistic care for children surviving online sexual exploitation; strengthening existing community-based mechanisms for identifying and preventing child victims. SA works on identify child victims of online sexual exploitation and strengthen comprehensive service delivery for survivors, with a focus on mental health care and legal services.

Formerly known as Visayan Forum, VF has a mandate on modern-day slavery, especially human trafficking and domestic servitude. It develops community watch mechanisms in transit areas, provides holistic shelter-based services, and conducts policy advocacy and solution-based research.

Has an anti-trafficking section under the WCPC; Responsible in investigating all TIP Cases.

Coordinates with DSWD and other partners in the provision of services to women and children in need.