Zambo crisis center rehabilitated

MAYOR BENG Climaco, who is a strong advocate of women and children’s rights and welfare, has turned over the newly-rehabilitated Women Crisis Center in Zone IV which coincided with the celebration of International Women’s Day last week.

Mayor Beng Climaco inaugurates the new Agricultural Extension Field Office 1 in Barangay Tetuan as part of her commitment to the agriculture sector.  (Bong Serondo)

 

Mayor Beng Climaco with City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron and his staff, City Social Welfare and Development Office personnel manning the Women's Crisis Center and barangay officials, among others during the turnover of the rehabilitated building which also houses the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking. (Bong Serondo)

Present during the turnover were City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron and his staff, City Social Welfare and Development Office personnel manning the facility and barangay officials, among others. They thanked Climaco for her advocacy and support to the government’s program, especially to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking which occupies a unit at the building. 

Climaco said the facility is a testament of her administration’s commitment to the protection and welfare of the women.

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking was established as the central coordinating body that monitors and oversees the strict implementation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

It is mandated, among others, to develop comprehensive and integrated programs to prevent and suppress trafficking in persons, establish the necessary institutional mechanism for the protection and support of trafficked persons, and ensure the timely, coordinated, and effective response to cases of trafficking in persons particularly in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking persons cases.

IACAT also has the power to create anti-trafficking task forces to ensure that agencies, in a timely and coordinated manner, immediately and effectively respond to cases of trafficking in persons, assist in filing of cases against individuals, agencies, institutions, or establishments that violate the provisions of the Expanded Act, and protect the rights and needs of trafficked persons.

Presently, IACAT has a total of 24 task forces, which include 2 national task forces, 6 port-based task forces, and 16 regional task forces. (Zamboanga Post)