WHEREAS, Section 11, Article II of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 9208 or the "Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003," as amended by RA No. 10364 or the "Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012," provides that the State shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures and development of programs that will promote human dignity, protect the people from any threat of violence and exploitation, eliminate trafficking in persons, and mitigate pressures for involuntary migration and servitude of persons, not only to support trafficked persons but more importantly, to ensure their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into the mainstream of society;

WHEREAS, under Section 21(a), (c) and (e) of RA No. 9208, as amended, the inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) shall formulate a comprehensive and integrated program to prevent and suppress trafficking in persons, and conduct massive information dissemination and campaign on the various issues and problems attendant to trafficking through local government units, concerned agencies and non-government organizations;

WHEREAS, based on the 2020 United Nations Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, a total of 49,032 victims of trafficking in persons had been reported in 148 countries, and as of March 2021, a total of 1,608 victims of trafficking based on convictions had been recorded in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, as signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, including its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, the country observes the 30 th of July of every year as the World Day Against Trafficking and conducts relevant programs, campaigns and activities in observance thereof; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to strengthen awareness against trafficking in persons, instill social consciousness among the general public, and mobilize more advocates, especially those from vulnerable communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare the month of July of every year as the "National Anti- Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month."

For this purpose, the IACAT, in coordination with concerned agencies, shall lead the observance and implementation of the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month. The funding requirements for the implementation of this Proclamation shall be charged against the available appropriations of the IACAT. Funding requirements for the succeeding years shall be incorporated in the budget proposal of the IACAT, subject to the usual budget process and relevant laws, rules and regulations.

All other agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby enjoined, and all local government units, the private sector, and relevant non government organizations and civil society groups, are hereby encouraged, to actively participate and render the necessary support and assistance to the IACAT for the effective implementation of this Proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 6th day of July in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-One.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

By the President:

(SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA
Executive Secretrary