Manila-The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will help implement a new partnership between the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Region 2 and the Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines (PDAP) that will expand efforts to counter human trafficking in Cagayan Valley (Region 2).

“This partnership with USAID is not merely anchored on the similarity of our programs. We share the noble goal and common desire to end this massive humanitarian challenge in human trafficking,” IACAT Region 2 Chairperson Rommel Baligod said at the signing of the memorandum of agreement between IACAT Region 2 and PDAP at the Department of Justice Region 2 office in Tuguegarao City on January.

“With this partnership that we forged with PDAP and USAID, it is our greatest hope that we will see significant strides in our campaign against human trafficking.”

“The United States and the Philippines share a firm commitment to end trafficking in persons. ​Through this partnership, we will strengthen local systems to protect individuals vulnerable to trafficking and promote the long-term safety of communities across the Cagayan Valley region,” said USAID Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks.

Under the partnership, USAID, IACAT Region 2, and PDAP will combat trafficking in persons by creating public advocacy campaigns to reach vulnerable populations, training frontline workers to improve their responsiveness, strengthening anti-trafficking efforts in schools and local communities, and assisting in the development and amendment of local ordinances to protect trafficking victims.

In 2019, USAID launched the eight-year, Php364 million ($6.5 million) Strengthening Local Systems and Partnerships for a More Effective and Sustainable Counter-Trafficking in Persons (Strength CTIP) Program with PDAP. Under this program, USAID and PDAP are working together to end trafficking in persons, protect survivors, prosecute perpetrators, and foster multi-sector collaboration aligned with the recommendations of the U.S Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report and the Philippine government’s National Strategic Action Plan Against TIP.

“The forms and challenges of human trafficking have changed dramatically. PDAP will equip the region with effective community-based tools and models that our partners in nine other regions have used in countering trafficking in persons,” said Strength CTIP Chief of Party Eugenio Gonzales.

For more information about USAID’s efforts to prevent trafficking in persons, visit www.usaid.gov/trafficking. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– After nearly nine years, during which the case was handled by four judges, the court has acquitted Roel ‘Will’ Amazona, correspondent of this paper.
“Wherefore, postulates considered, this court resolved to acquit the accused for failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt,” Judge Carlos Arguelles, presiding judge of RTC-Branch 8, this city, said in his decision issued Monday, January 20, 2025.

Aside from writing for Leyte Samar Daily Express, Amazona also works at RMN Tacloban and Philippine News Agency.

“After almost nine arduous years, several sleepless nights, and anxiety attacks, this case is finally over. I can finally breathe deeply and get a haircut. I haven’t had one since this case was filed. Now that I’ve been acquitted, I’ll finally get a haircut,” Amazona said.

He also described the case as an act of harassment by the complainant, stating, “This is purely harassment—harassment by the complainant against me and other media practitioners since I’m not the only one she filed a case against.”

The cyber libel case against Amazona was filed by Miriam Desecada, a former correspondent of this paper.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Desacada in 2016.

Amazona recalled being warned about the complainant’s plan to file a case against him but did not take it seriously as he could not recall doing anything wrong to her.

“Although I am acquitted, I’m not entirely happy because the court also ordered me to pay damages to the complainant, which shocked me. So now, I don’t know whether to celebrate or not,” Amazona admitted.

The court ordered Amazona to pay P100,000 in moral and exemplary damages to the complainant.

“I’ve already discussed this with my lawyer, and I fully trust them to explore any possible remedies regarding this aspect of the decision,” he added.

Amazona thanked those who stood by him throughout the ordeal, including his fellow journalists who showed unwavering support, individuals who provided moral encouragement, and his lawyers who defended him and proved his innocence in court.

“With this case finally over, my family will learn about the struggle I’ve gone through for nearly nine years. They’ll also understand why I suddenly grew my hair long. I never told them about the case, and I managed to keep it a secret until the court issued a favorable decision,” he shared.

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office has released food assistance to 1,183 families in Eastern Visayas since December as part of the expanded “Walang Gutom” program, an initiative meant to address the incidence of involuntary hunger and malnutrition.

The DSWD recorded last week the highest number of beneficiaries at 985. Identified families received food packs and P3,000 food credits under the program, said DSWD Eastern Visayas regional information officer Joshua Kempis in a phone interview Wednesday.

In the first two weeks of January, those who received food assistance were from the towns of Lawaan, Dolores, and Maslog in Eastern Samar province; Jiabong, Sta. Margarita and Catbalogan City in Samar; Palo, Abuyog, Babatngon, and Tacloban City in Leyte.

Using an indicator and know-your-client tools, the DSWD has listed more qualified recipients to be part of the flagship of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

As of Dec. 27, the total number of eligible beneficiaries for the Walang Gutom program was 42,959 households, or 112.28 percent of the actual target of 38,261, Kempis said.
These families will receive PHP3,000 food credits in their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which they will use for buying food supplies in DSWD-accredited retailers.

“Redemption activities are still ongoing as of press time, and we have yet to determine the final numbers of households that received food packs from our accredited suppliers under the program,” Kempis said.

All beneficiaries are required to attend nutrition education sessions for them to continue receiving food aid.

The amount credited in the card will be used for buying food supplies, including P1,500 for carbohydrates (50 percent), P900 for protein (30 percent), and P600 for fats, oil, and other dietary fibers (20 percent).

Under the program, each family gets P3,000 per month on their EBT card for three years. The selection of recipients is based on household income, assets, and other factors.

The DSWD determined the list of beneficiaries through a thorough evaluation and validation process conducted by field validators during the registration and assessment phases.

The program seeks to achieve food security by addressing involuntary hunger experienced by low-income Filipino households and providing them better access to nutritious food using an EBT card.

It allows beneficiaries to buy a variety of food items, including fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, and non-alcoholic beverages. Certain items, such as hot foods, vitamins, and household supplies, are not eligible for purchase with food stamps.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)