SDue to the dwindling number of recruiters and strict implementation of recruitment policies, the number of persons from Negros Oriental leaving for Manila to work as laborers or domestic helpers, has severely dropped.

Kenric Villaluz recruitment regulation officer of the Department of Labor and Employment in Dumaguete City , said, the average number of recruits undergoing verification from his office has plummeted to 20 persons a month.

This is a far cry from the more than 100 weekly average in the past, he said.

Villaluz said this could be attributed to the decreasing number of recruiters and the strict enforcement of laws on recruitment. He said there are now only six recruiters allowed to work in the province, compared to 25 in the past.

He also said many recruiters were not allowed to renew their licenses, because of pending cases in court.

Lilian Mondarte, from the Department of Labor and Employment who is in charge of the child labor concerns in the province, also said concerned private and government agencies are mandated to prevent human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

They coordinate well, thus, the campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking is effective.

Meanwhile, Villaluz clarified that it is not yet established with certainty whether the number of people interested in working in Manila is diminishing.

He said it is possible that recruiters have found another route where they can easily make their exit in going to Manila.*RA

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