PACOC holds forum on illegal recruitment and human trafficking
MARIBEL SINGCA
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Governor Lilia Nanay Pineda has always been particular and concerned with the plights of the Overseas Filipino Workers.
This was gleaned during the forum on illegal recruitment and human trafficking held at the Benigno Aquino Hall of the Capitol yesterday.
The forum was initiated by the Pampanga Action Center for OFW Concerns (PACOC) headed by Ms. Maria Elyza Rey Muñoz Yap supported by the Public Employment Service Office headed by Luningning Vergara Provincial PESO manager, under the instruction of the governor.
What Governor Lilia Nanay Pineda wanted was to facilitate the interests of OFWs and their families to avert them from illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
It can be recalled that during the gubernatorial campaign of Governor Pineda in 2010, she guaranteed that care for the OFW’s and their families would be met during her term.
Thus, the Pampanga Action Center for OFW Concerns was established in September 16, 2010 under the Executive Order No. 16-2010. The PACOC is the arm of the governor in communicating with different agencies like the Philippine Embassies abroad, Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies involved with the existing programs for the OFWs. This is the first branch erected for the OFWs all over the country.
Meanwhile, Mr. Antonio Dela Cruz of Operations and Surveillance Division of POEA discussed the different modus operandi of illegal recruiters, among those mentioned were; reprogression thru tie-ups, government direct hiring, tourist visa, group holiday, fiancée visa, non-visa countries, back door exit.
Dela Cruz also said in an interview that, it’s always important to check with the POEA the authenticity of license every agency that they applied to, to elude fraudsters.
Also discussed were the benefits and assistance for OWWA members and their families as discussed by Ms. Maria Cristina Mallare OWWA’s Programs and Services Division (RWO3).
Some OFW organizers, officers from different cities and municipalities of Pampanga and municipal PESO managers participated in the said forum.
