DAVAO CITY – The Global Impact Phils Foundation, Inc. through its campaign, Freedom! Philippines, will strengthen its movement against human trafficking in the country.
Freedom! Philippines is a campaign to combat human trafficking through education, training and awareness. This aims to promote individual safety and empower communities in Mindanao to “be aware, be a voice, and be involved” in the fight against this social injustice.
One of the major campaign strategies is the annual Impact Concert which is the culminating event for the students of the Catalyst Leadership Academy (CLA).
During the concert, there will be dance productions, dramas, musical presentations and celebrity performances to raise awareness about this social issue of human slavery.
This year, the Impact Concert will be a highlight of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa through the Advocacy Night on May 7, 2015 at 7:30 PM with celebrity guest Christian Bautista which will happen at the Tourism Village of the Davao del Norte Sports Complex, Tagum City.
Another Impact Concert will be held at the covered court of Matina Town Square (MTS) with celebrity guest Aljur Abrenica on May 15, 2015 at 7:00 PM.
“I think the timing is very good, (because) of what has happened with Mary Jane (Veloso) in Indonesia and the need for people to be vigilant, be aware and to be safe,” Global Impact founding director Pastor Amy Muranko-Gahan said.
Gahan added that it is high time for people to take notice of the issue on human trafficking that is happening not just in the Philippines, but globally.
“We don’t want people to be victimized, we want the public to be safe and to be aware and to make wise choices in their choices of work both here in the Philippines and in abroad,” she said.
She also said that they wanted to be on the “prevention side” where they will raise the consciousness of people on how to prevent human trafficking.
“We don’t want to be just reacting after the case. We want to be on the prevention side. That’s what our main advocacy is about. It’s empowering people with the tools and with the knowledge so that as they make choices, they can make wise and safe choices,” Gahan added.
She also added that the level of knowledge of the Filipinos on human trafficking is minimal.
“We’ve asked groups, “What is human trafficking?” and some would even answer seriously it’s that when a lot of people are in the street, similar to car traffic,” she added.
Gahan said that they are doing their best, along with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), to bring awareness to the communities.
IACAT is the body created by law to coordinate and monitor the implementation of Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
“In almost every country in the world, there are victims of human trafficking and trafficking is taking place,” she said.
She also added that human trafficking is a “serious problem” in the country.
“So here in the Philippines, it’s happening. We have reports. You can go to DSWD, you can go to IACAT, to the PNP and have the reports of what has come to them. But one of the things that we know for sure is there’s much that’s happening that is unreported,” Gahan said.
She said that awareness will help in identification and in rescuing those who are experiencing human slavery.(davaotoday.com)
