SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian has called for the allocation of more funds for the government’s fight against all forms of human trafficking as he flagged an almost 35 percent cut on the proposed 2023 budget for anti-trafficking programs of the Department of Justice and its attached agencies.
Gatchalian noted that from a budget of P90 million in the 2022 General Appropriations Act, the proposed appropriation for the program, including activities focused on stopping or preventing the online sexual abuse or exploitation of children, has been cut to P59 million for next year.
He said more funds should be allocated for the program since “human trafficking is a clear and present danger in our country” that is “still happening right now.”
Gatchalian had asked the DOJ if the budget cut would affect the Philippines’ Tier 1 ranking under the US’ Department of State’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Report for 2022 which the country maintained since 2016.
Tier 1 ranking means that a country has met the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons.
DOJ undersecretary Nick Ty said the budget drop will affect the Philippines’ Tier 1 ranking, adding that under the National Expenditure Program, the budget for training, among others, was deleted.
He said the anti-OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children) and anti-CSAEM (Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials) law mandates the creation of the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
The DOJ said it would need funding for the hiring of the necessary personnel.
