Former workers of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGO,  both Filipinos and foreign nationals who are victim-survivors of trafficking, can benefit from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP).

This was noted by Senator Imee Marcos, the sponsor of the agency’s budget for 2025, during the Senate plenary session on Tuesday (November 19).

“Merong existing program for trafficked persons ang DSWD at talagang reintegration and recovery. Ang tawag ay RRPTP. Ito ay para magbigay ng reintegration and recovery services , psychosocial, social and economic needs hindi lamang sa mga individual pati na rin sa pamilya at komunidad,” Sen. Marcos said in response to the query of Sen. Risa Hontiveros on what is the government’s action for trafficked persons including POGO workers.

Senator Marcos said the DSWD serves as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and leads coordination with international organizations and foreign countries.

During the interpellation, Senator Riza Hontiveros said the DSWD could fully use the RRPTP to assist trafficked POGO workers, particularly in securing jobs or alternative sources of livelihood.

“Talagang bahagi ng RRPTP ang livelihood, skills at capability building ng mga trafficked persons,” Sen. Marcos said in response.

Senator Marcos also informed Senator Hontiveros that there is still no exact count on trafficked POGO workers.

“Hanggang ngayon ay puro hula-hula lang. Wala pang maayos na statistics. Ibinibigay ng IACAT ang pangalan at numero ng paisa-isa, hindi naman bulto kaya hindi pa masabi kung ilan talaga,”  Senator Marcos said.

The RRPTP is a comprehensive program designed to ensure the effective recovery and reintegration of trafficking victim-survivors.

The services offered under the RRPTP include case management, direct service assistance, training, and temporary shelter support for both victim-survivors and witnesses of trafficking. (MBM)

 

Tagalog Version

Mga dating POGO workers, makikinabang sa RRPTP ng DSWD

Makakakuha ng benepisyo mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) ang mga dating manggagawa ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators o POGO maging ang mga ito ay Pilipino o dayuhan.

Ito ang binigyang diin ni Senator Imee Marcos sa ginanap na budget hearing sa Senado nitong Martes (November 19) para sa proposed 2025 budget ng DSWD. Ang nasabing senadora ang sponsor ng budget proposal ng DSWD para sa taong 2025.

“Merong existing program for trafficked persons ang DSWD at talagang reintegration and recovery. Ang tawag ay RRPTP. Ito ay para magbigay ng reintegration and recovery services , psychosocial, social and economic needs hindi lamang sa mga individual pati na rin sa pamilya at komunidad,” ayon kay Sen. Marcos bilang tugon sa tanong ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros kaugnay ng magiging aksyon ng gobyerno para sa mga trafficked persons kasama na ang mga POGO workers.

Ayon pa kay Senator Marcos ang DSWD ang tumatayong co-chair ng Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) at siya namang namumuno ng coordination sa mga international organizations and foreign countries.

Sa ginanap na interpellation, nagpahayag si Senator Riza Hontiveros na magagampanan ng maayos ng DSWD ang RRPTP upang tulungan ang mga trafficked POGO workers partikular sa paghahanap ng trabaho at pagkakakitaan.

Bilang tugon, sinabi naman ni Sen Marcos na “Talagang bahagi ng RRPTP ang livelihood, skills at capability building ng mga trafficked persons,”.

Dagdag pa niya,“Hanggang ngayon ay puro hula-hula lang. Wala pang maayos na statistics. Ibinibigay ng IACAT ang pangalan at numero ng paisa-isa, hindi naman bulto kaya hindi pa masabi kung ilan talaga.”

Ang RRPTP ay isang komprehensibong programa na tumitiyak sa recovery and reintegration ng mga trafficking victim-survivors.

Kabilang naman sa mga serbisyong naibibigay ng RRPTP ang case management, direct service assistance, training, temporary shelter supportpara sa victim-survivors at witnesses of trafficking. #