TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR FY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 001276 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR G/TIP (JSIGMON, RBILLINGS),EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP, INL/AAE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL RP SUBJECT: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR FY 2007 REF: A. STATE 28143 ¶B. MANILA 1054 ¶C. MANILA 1043 ¶D. MANILA 688 ¶1. In response to the solicitation for anti-trafficking in persons project proposals from the Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) (ref A), Embassy Manila received 22 proposals from both government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for consideration of funding in FY 2007. Our Mission's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Working Group carefully reviewed all 22 proposals and recommends the following five projects to G/TIP for funding in FY 2007, in priority order. Three projects primarily focus on improving the prosecution of TIP cases, while the two others address prevention and protection efforts. Embassy will email the complete proposals for these five projects to G/TIP directly per reftel guidance. Political Officer Barry Fullerton is the Embassy point-of-contact for trafficking in persons issues. He can be reached at 63-2-528-6300, extension 2350, or at FullertonTB@state.gov. -------------- PROJECT 1: INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION -------------- ¶A. ORGANIZATION: International Justice Mission (IJM) ¶B. PROJECT TITLE: An Initiative to Combat Trafficking in Metro Manila and Samar ¶C. REQUESTED FUNDING: $760,857 ¶D. DURATION: Two years ¶E. DESCRIPTION: The project aims to continue IJM's anti-trafficking initiatives on case development and prosecutions of human trafficking cases in Metro Manila; build the capacity of local law enforcement; increase aftercare capacity of government; and expand IJM's project coverage to the province of Samar in the Visayas. IJM will continue to initiate investigation of TIP cases for sexual exploitation and case referrals from local NGOs. It will utilize evidentiary materials gathered to assist local authorities in initiating arrests and prosecution of traffickers and closure of establishments engaged in TIP. IJM will also facilitate placement of rescued victims in facilities for recovery, rehabilitation and skills training. -------------- PROJECT 2: VISAYAN FORUM FOUNDATION -------------- ¶A. ORGANIZATION: Visayan Forum Foundation (VFF) ¶B. PROJECT TITLE: Operating Halfway Houses in Strategic Ports in the Philippines to Protect Victims and Potential Victims of Trafficking, and Organizing Responsive Task Forces Towards Strengthening Prosecution of Trafficking Cases ¶C. REQUESTED FUNDING: $475,196 ¶D. DURATION: Two years ¶E. DESCRIPTION: VFF requests funding to continue to operate its halfway houses in the ports of Manila, Davao, Sorsogon and Batangas. These unique facilities, built by the Philippine Ports Authority, provide 24-hour temporary shelter and protection services to rescued victims of trafficking. Despite VFF's pioneering efforts in Philippine ports and its great impact in combating human trafficking, VFF still faces the challenge to continue to provide an immediate set of services to actual and potential victims who have been intercepted during transit. The proposed project addresses the need to strengthen the anti-trafficking task forces composed of law enforcers, shipping companies, and other stakeholders at the port through capacity-building activities, and expand the task forces' ability to monitor other exit and entry points of trafficking throughout the country. -------------- -------------- PROJECT 3: ST. MA. GORETTI DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. -------------- -------------- ¶A. ORGANIZATION: St. Ma. Goretti Development Foundation, Inc. ¶B. PROJECT TITLE: Inter-Provincial Local Government Units and MANILA 00001276 002 OF 003 Multi-Sector Partnership Against Trafficking ¶C. REQUESTED FUNDING: $90,313 ¶D. DURATION: Eighteen months ¶E. DESCRIPTION: The project seeks to combat trafficking of women and children in the provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental in the Visayas, and Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao. These three provinces have been identified as sources of child labor trafficked to Manila and other cities. The project will conduct advocacy campaigns in the three provinces; establish cooperation among local government units, civil society and community groups for joint action against TIP; conduct capacity building activities for law enforcers and prosecutors; and establish temporary shelters for rescued TIP victims. -------------- PROJECT 4: WINROCK INTERNATIONAL -------------- ¶A. ORGANIZATION: Winrock International ¶B. PROJECT TITLE: Philippines Anti-Trafficking Initiative (PATI) ¶C. REQUESTED FUNDING: $299,492 ¶D. DURATION: Two years ¶E. DESCRIPTION: The project aims to strengthen existing law enforcement mechanisms to combat trafficking in children through improved prosecution. It also seeks to prevent children-at-risk from trafficking by providing livelihood and educational opportunities in Cebu City and Davao City, where child trafficking incidence is high. To accomplish this, PATI will: develop training modules and train members of the government led projects Sagip-Batang Manggagawa (SBM) ("Child Labor Rescue") and the Inter-Agency Councils Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) to improve identification, evidence collection and case build-up for trafficking in persons; and, develop and include in the SBM Handbook and inspection system information on trafficking, and policies and procedures to investigate and prosecute trafficking, thus ensuring that SBM members integrate combating child trafficking activities into their enforcement of the child labor law. Simultaneously, PATI will assist communities to raise awareness of trafficking, assist in the identification of those at-risk of being trafficked; report suspected traffickers to law enforcers and cooperate in the effective implementation of the Philippines' 2003 anti-trafficking law. At-risk children aged 14-17 years old will participate in programs to build employment and enterprise skills, thus reducing the vulnerability of being trafficked. Those of working age will be assisted in obtaining safe employment. -------------- PROJECT 5: CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES -------------- ¶A. ORGANIZATION: Catholic Relief Services ¶B. PROJECT TITLE: Improving Legal Assistance and Trafficking Awareness in the Philippines ¶C. REQUESTED FUNDING: $260,219 ¶D. DURATION: Two years ¶E. DESCRIPTION: The project aims to combat trafficking through increased capacity of Catholic networks in this predominantly Catholic society to educate vulnerable women and children regarding the prevention of trafficking, including safe migration and safe work. It also aims to develop legal resources to increase and improve the quality of cases filed for prosecution in the Philippines. The project will provide training to 100 lawyers, 100 paralegals, 240 Catholic Church pastoral workers as well as Department of Justice prosecutors. The project will conduct awareness campaigns and other community activities through Catholic Church structures to reach out to thousands of vulnerable individuals. The project also aims to establish coordination between Catholic Church networks and IACAT. CRS' implementing partners include the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, the National Secretariat for Social Action, and Asia Against Child SIPDIS Trafficking. MANILA 00001276 003 OF 003 Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/ KENNEY