The campaign against human trafficking and illegal recruitment in Oriental Negros is being conducted regularly, Kenrick Villaluz of the Department of Labor and Employment said.

Villaluz said local recruitment contracts for domestic helpers are verified and recruitment agencies must first secure certifications from DOLE, and the recruits must undergo an interview.

A task force composed of personnel from the maritime police, Philippine Ports Authority and Coast Guard also man the local port area to spot signs of trafficking and immediately make arrests or rescue of victims, he added. The rescued victims turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, included four minors from Mabinay last month, provincial Social Welfare officer Alieta Austero said.

Last year, the task force rescued eight victims of illegal recruitment, seven of them below 18 years old, the largest number rescued in one incident.

The victims were from the Gawad Kalinga housing community in Bayawan City.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently promulgated Executive Order No. 548-A, which underscores the ongoing campaign of the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency to involve local government units in the fight against illegal recruiters.*RG

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