The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga in its capacity as the chair of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) Caraga led the official launching of the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month (NATPAM) on July 2, 2025, through a series of activities aimed at strengthening the region’s campaign against human trafficking.
A virtual kickoff activity via Zoom gathered 95 participants from member agencies.
On behalf of DSWD Field Office Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga, Protective Services Division (PSD) Chief Jessie Catherine Aranas delivered a message alongside OIC Executive Director of the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM (NCC OSAEC CSAEM) Barbara Mae Flores.
“Mga kababayan, ang trafficking ay hindi lamang krimen laban sa isang tao—ito ay krimen laban sa buong lipunan. Kapag may isang batang nawalan ng kinabukasan dahil sa pang-aabuso, buong bayan ang nawalan. Kapag may isang babae o lalaki na na-exploit, ang dangal ng ating lipunan ang naaapektuhan.
That is why today is more than just a ceremonial event. It is a declaration. A declaration that we will not tolerate trafficking in our communities. That we will speak up, act swiftly, and protect fiercely,” Aranas said.
Further, the session included the presentation of the RIACAT-VAWC Caraga Strategic Plan 2023–2028 and the official calendar of NATPAM activities. Key initiatives such as “WDAT on WDAT” and “SaGADin Natin, Alamin, Komunidad Kalampagin” were also highlighted.
Complementing the virtual launch, an information drive was simultaneously conducted at the Butuan City Port and Nasipit Port in Agusan del Norte. Port personnel and passengers were engaged through brief orientations and the distribution of IEC materials, reinforcing public awareness and community action against trafficking in persons.
These activities signal the start of a month-long regional effort to intensify advocacy, prevention, and protection initiatives across Caraga.
