Since 2013, the United Nations has observed World Day against Trafficking in Persons, which falls on Monday, July 30. According to the UN resolution ratifying the observance, the day seeks to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”

According to a 2018 report by the United States Department of State, the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, placed the Philippines in Tier 1, which means the country currently meets the standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

Most cases of human trafficking involving Filipinos are due to illegal recruitment, marriage services, along with fraudulent immigration activity.

Adoption is also a practice utilized in human trafficking, which was addressed earlier this year when a technical working group, headed by Batangas sixth district Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, looked into consolidating various bills seeking to make the adoption process more efficient.

One of the primary goals of the new legislation would create the National Child Care Authority (NCCA), which would develop policies on adoption and foster care, along with implement programs to prevent human trafficking and exploitation./WDJ