CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Noting that trafficking, exploitation and violence against women and their children (VAWC) can take place anywhere, especially with easy access to transportation, the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking, Child Pornography, Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-CP-VAWC)-10 distributed campaign materials to the transport sector in the region, November 26.

"Tungod sa atong gibuhat nga mga materials nga to be distributed karon sa atong transport sector, I hope nga kining atong pag-selebrar makabati unta ta'g bag-o, kalinaw, kalipay nga atong madala sa atong pamilya. We will start it from us," Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Edna Dahino said.  

(As we distribute the materials that we produced to the transport sector, I hope that as we celebrate [the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW], we can experience change, peace, happiness that we can also bring to our family) 

For his part, Hanzel Luke Devera of Balaod Mindanaw said the activity is held as the committee's response to the increasing number of VAWC cases, particularly on exploitation caused by trafficking and online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).

"It's sad to know nga sa pipila ka mga cases that we've recorded, naa'y involvement sa atong transport sector particularly sa mga taxis, operators diri sa Cagayan de Oro as part of the human trafficking scheme kasi 'yung role ni transport sector ay doon sa pag-transfer sa biktima from point A to point B," Devera added. 

(It's sad to know that in some of the cases we've recorded, the transport sector is involved, particularly the taxis, operators here in Cagayan de Oro as part of the human trafficking scheme because the role of the transport sector is on the transfer of the victim from point A to point B)

He added that there are also pending cases in the court that involve drivers in the crime. Thus, the posting of campaign materials in visible areas of the public utility vehicle (PUV) is very helpful in increasing the community's awareness on VAW and trafficking. 

The materials will also help the drivers contact authorized hotlines or offices once they witness a suspicious act inside their unit. 

Noting the cause of the said activity, Dahino further said,"Wala ta'y mabuhat nga pagputol o pag-stop sa violence kung wala ta'y courage nga mupadayag sa atong gibati kay kita protektado sa balaod."

(We cannot end violence if we won't have the courage to express what we feel. We are protected by the law)

The distribution of anti-VAW information, education and communication (IEC) materials, in partnership with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), is part of the region's celebration of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW that will run from November 25 to December 12. (RTP/PIA-10)