House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Rep. France Castro on Monday appealed to the government to scrap entirely the proposed travel guidelines by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), stressing the need for a comprehensive review of the existing policies.
“These travel guidelines proposed by the IACAT not only fail to address the root causes of human trafficking, but also pose serious threats to the rights and freedoms of individuals,” Castro said.
“We cannot allow measures that potentially violate the rights of innocent individuals, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who are already vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,” she added.
Castro highlighted the need for a thorough review of existing policies and the inclusion of various stakeholders, including migrant workers’ rights groups, to ensure that the guidelines are fair, just, and protective of individuals’ rights.
“We need to prioritize the protection and welfare of our fellow Filipinos, especially those who work overseas to support their families. Any policy or guideline that undermines their rights and freedoms is unacceptable,” she added.
Castro also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of human trafficking, such as poverty, lack of decent job opportunities, and social inequality. She called for the government to focus on implementing comprehensive programs that tackle these issues and provide genuine protection for vulnerable individuals.
“We must address the systemic factors that contribute to human trafficking instead of relying solely on restrictive travel guidelines. This requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles poverty, promotes decent work, and provides social services to our marginalized sectors,” Castro explained.
She urged the IACAT to reconsider the proposed travel guidelines and engage in a genuine dialogue with the stakeholders involved.
“We cannot afford to implement policies that may inadvertently harm our fellow Filipinos. Let us work together towards the development of effective and rights-based measures in preventing human trafficking,” she said.