Law Summary
Philippine Role in Global and Regional Efforts
- Philippines, as a founding UN member, supports global resolutions against trafficking women and girls.
- Active participation in multi-governmental and multilateral initiatives aimed at suppressing trafficking.
- Leadership role in regional initiatives like the Manila Process and the Asian Regional Initiative Against Trafficking (ARIAT).
Need for an Integrated Governmental Body
- Calls for a coordinating body to review, manage, and monitor bilateral, regional, and multilateral anti-trafficking initiatives.
- Government agencies already undertake trafficking suppression activities within their mandates.
- Institutionalizing inter-agency coordination for improved efficiency is necessary.
Creation and Composition of the Executive Council
- Establishes the Executive Council on the Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, particularly women and children.
- Chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and co-chaired by the Secretary of Interior and Local Government.
- Members include Secretaries of DOJ, DND, DOLE, DSWD, DOT, and the Executive Secretary.
Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC)
- Composed of representatives from the Council's member agencies and several law enforcement, welfare, and rights institutions such as PAOCTF, PCTC, NAPOLCOM, PNP, NBI, CFO, NCRFW, OWWA, POEA, CHR, and NAPC.
- Coordinates with NGOs, private sector, academe, and other groups.
- Chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs with elected Co-Chair and Vice-Chair.
Secretariat and Its Role
- The Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) serves as Secretariat.
- PCTC mandated to formulate and implement programs combating transnational crimes including human trafficking.
Functions of the Executive Council
- Assists the President in policy formulation and implementation to suppress trafficking.
- Undertakes programs concerning advocacy, education, training, law enforcement, legislative action, criminal justice management, intelligence networking, victim rehabilitation, and international cooperation.
Data/Information Sharing and Confidentiality
- Ensures effective exchange of relevant data and reports among member and support agencies.
- Treats data as confidential and restricts use to lawful official purposes.
- Directs TCC to establish security guidelines for data access.
Support Agencies
- Allows the Executive Council to seek assistance from any government department or civil society to achieve objectives.
Implementation and Operations
- Requires the Executive Council to convene within 30 days to create implementing rules and regulations.
- Mandates Executive Council meetings at least quarterly; TCC meets monthly.
Funding Arrangements
- Initial funding of at least PHP 5 million provided from Presidential Contingency Fund/PAGCOR.
- Member agencies to allocate funds from current budgets and future appropriations.
Reporting and Effectivity
- Executive Council to report to the President annually or as needed.
- Executive Order takes immediate effect upon issuance.