Calbayog City (May 23) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has effected major infrastructure developments in the whole island of Samar to spur economic development.
Thus, if there is economic development, Samarnons will be less prone to human trafficking – a situation that has destroyed lives of women and children.
This was the contention of Calbayog Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento during the International Justice Mission (IJM) sponsored launch of Samar anti-trafficking program on May 21 at the Joggers Court after a 25-vehicle motorcade that extended up to a ten-kilometer radius within the boundaries of Calbayog City.
IJM is a Non-Government Orgnization (NGO) that aims to combat child trafficking in Samar. The same organization gets funding from the US State Department.
One reason why human traffickers go to Samar to recruit unsuspecting families is poverty, stressed Sarmiento.
Sarmiento also lamented that people always point to the Wary-waray as criminal offenders because he said, "We are poor."
The mayor, known for his development projects also pointed out the city's initiatives in combating trafficking.
He also proposed to establish halfway houses like the ones maintained by Visayan Forum in every province.
"Let us make the NGOs run them and the local government unit (LGU) will pay the board and lodging."
The same stark reality of poverty stricken communities was also confirmed by GMA 7 personality Love Anover.
Anover admitted she was looking for an advocacy program that will help children especially those from Eastern Visayas where she grew up before becoming a GMA 7 talent.
Speaking in the Waray-waray language, Anover immediately hit it off with the Calbayognons.
Both Sarmiento and Anover advocated to the parents that no matter how poor, not to yield their children to recruiters who deceive Samarnons in the guise of helping minors look for work and eventually help their poor families. (PIA-Samar)
Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he took time to talk with some IJM staff before the program.
Mayor Sarmiento with (r-l) DILG-Samar Director Jovito Lacaba, Bishop Isabalo Abarquez and IJM's Atty. Carmela Andal-Castro.
Bishop Isabelo Abarquez.
Atty. Carmel Andal - Castro of IJM.
GMA 7's Love Añover.
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