I. Program Overview

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office I is mandated to provide social protection to trafficked persons and has served new trafficking in person (TIP) clients through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) which is being implemented to scale up the programs and services and deliver better interventions to trafficked persons at various levels.

The Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons is a comprehensive program that ensures adequate recovery and reintegration services provided to trafficked persons. It utilizes a multi-sectoral approach, delivers a complete package of services that will enhance the psychosocial, social and economic needs of the clients. It also enhances the awareness, skills and capabilities of the clients, the families and the communities where the trafficked persons will be eventually reintegrated. It also improves community-based systems and mechanisms that ensures the recovery of the victim-survivors and prevents other family and community members to become victims of trafficking.

Legal Bases

  1. Republic Act No. 9208 as amended by Republic Act No. 10364 otherwise known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. Section 16 provides the mandate for DSWD to implement rehabilitative and protective programs for trafficked persons such as counseling and temporary shelter as well as develop a system for accreditation among NGOs for purposes of establishing centers and programs for interventions in various levels of the community.
  2. Republic Act 7610 entitled Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. SEC. 28. Protective Custody of the Child. – The offended party shall be immediately placed under the protective custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development pursuant to Executive Order No. 56, series of 1986.
  3. Republic Act No. 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009. Child Pornography is one of the many forms of human trafficking. In Section 14 of this act, it was mentioned that DSWD shall ensure that the victim of any form of child pornography is provided with appropriate care, custody and support for their recovery and reintegration in accordance with existing laws.
  4. Republic Act 9231 otherwise known as An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Children. Amending for this purpose Republic Act 7610, as Amended, regulates the employment of children, prohibits all worst forms of child labor and providing penalties thereof.
  5. Republic Act 8042 as amended by Republic Act No. 10002. Focuses on the protection of migrant workers through the one-country team approach in the Philippine Embassies/Consulates, the creation of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) and availability of Assistance to Nationals (ATN) funds for displaced, abused and exploited migrant workers including victims of human trafficking managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
  6. Republic Act 8239 or Philippine Passport Act of 1996. Regulates the constitutional right to travel by imposing requirements and procedures for getting a passport and other travel documents.
  7. Republic Act 6955 or Mail Order Bride Law. Imposes criminal sanctions against the business that engages in the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals on a mail order basis and other similar practices, including advertising of such services.
  8. Revised Penal Code specifically article 341. Penalizes white slavery trade resulting to prostitution and other similar abuses and exploitation.

II. Projects/Services/Activities/Modalities

Services

Economic Reintegration Services: These are forms of financial and non-material assistance to achieve economic independence and a strong sense of self-worth and to become more productive and contributing members of the society. (e.g. career opportunities, livelihood assistance, skills training and obtain decent work in order for the victim-survivor of trafficking to have an improved quality of life.)

Support for Victims/Witnesses – These are auxiliary services such as transportation assistance, board and lodging, documentations and other incidental expenses extended to victim-survivors of trafficking with ongoing court cases.

 Direct Services For Victim-Survivors Of Trafficking:

  1. Logistical Support During and Post-Rescue Operation of Victim-survivors of trafficking
  2. Psychosocial Services
  3. Provision of Temporary Shelter
  4. Medical Assistance
  5. Transportation Assistance
  6. Educational Assistance
  7. Distribution of Hygiene Kits and Food Packs

Traffickinq in Persons (TIP) Helpline: Field Offices need to have a 24-hour helpline and available focal person to respond to the calls received by the helpline.

Activities/Projects

  1. To provide capability-building activities that will enhance the skills of social workers and other service providers and implementers in providing effective and efficient services to trafficked persons;
  2. To ensure the delivery of comprehensive recovery and reintegration services for trafficked persons;
  3. To utilize multi-sectoral structures and mechanisms in the delivery of services that will enhance the psychosocial and economic needs of trafficked persons;
  4. To intensify the advocacy campaign against trafficking in persons to increase peoples’ awareness on issues of preventing them from becoming potential victims
  5. Act as Resource Person in the conduct of capability building activities in their respective regions;
  6. Supervise the implementation of the program; and
  7. Conduct case conference with stakeholders especially on cases of TIP clients from other regions

III. Target Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the program are the following:

  1. Victim-survivor of trafficking
  2. Families of the victim-survivor of trafficking
  3. Witnesses of cases of Human Trafficking Communities with incidence of Human Trafficking

IV. Eligibility Requirements

Victim-survivors of trafficking may avail of the services under RRPTP from DSWD Field Office I. Non-government organizations (NGOs) and other agencies may also refer their trafficked clients for assistance based on the needs of the client.

V. Documentary Requirements

  • Passport/Valid IDs/Birth Certificate (for minors)
  • Certificate of Indigency / Barangay Clearance
  • Referral Letter (if available)
  • Other necessary travel documents (for victims from abroad)
  • Medical Certificate/Clinical Abstract (medical assistance)
  • Certificate of Enrollment (educational assistance)

VI. Contact Person/s

CLARIVEL C. BANZUELA
Social Welfare Office V / Chief, Statutory Programs Division
(072) 687 – 8000 loc. 219
opd.fo1@dswd.gov.ph

FE G. SARMIENTO
Social Welfare Officer IV / Head, Community-Based Services Section 
Tel No. (072) 687 – 8000 loc. 212
combss.fo1@dswd.gov.ph

FLORABELL P. BAO-IN
Social Welfare Officer II / Focal Person on Recovery and Reintegration Program For Trafficked Persons
(072) 687 – 8000 loc. 212
combss.fo1@dswd.gov.ph