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U.S. Supports Halfway House at NAIA for Victims of Trafficking

The American people's support for efforts against trafficking in persons continues. Ambassador Kenney gave the keynote remarks at a May 7 dedication and capsule laying ceremony for the Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc.'s (VFF) new halfway house at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The halfway house, called Bahay Silungan sa Paliparan, is being built by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on airport grounds. VFF will operate the house with financial support from the U.S. Government. Pictured above (L to R) looking at a model of the halfway house are Ambassador Kenney; Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, VFF President; and Alfonso G. Cusi, MIAA General Manager.
MIAA Assistant General Manager for Airport Development and Corporate Affairs Tirso G. Serrano (standing) introduced General Manager Cusi, Ambassador Kenney, and VFF President Flores-Oebanda at the dedication and capsule laying ceremony for the new halfway house for victims of human trafficking. In her remarks, Ambassador Kenney noted the partnership of government agencies, private organizations, nonprofit groups, media, and private citizens for joining together in the fight against human trafficking. The crime of trafficking in persons is "not something that one voice alone can fix," said Ambassador Kenney. "We need to let people who would be trafficked know that this is a crime and that they must say no; they must resist. We must protect innocent victims. Today we join forces to take another step forward in that protection to offer victims a safe place and a sanctuary."
Ambassador Kenney joined several partners at the construction site of an airport halfway house for victims of human trafficking to bury a dedication capsule containing a May 7 newspaper, the memorandum of understanding for the house's construction, and a copy of the architectural plans. Pictured above (L to R) are Herminia Castillo, Chairman, MIAA Gender and Development Committee: General Manager Cusi; Ambassador Kenney; VFF President Flores-Oebanda; Attorney Severino Gana, Jr., Assistant Chief State Prosecutor, Department of Justice; and Commissioner Napoleon Morales, Bureau of Customs. The Visayan Forum Foundation's halfway house will shelter up to 40 people at a time, providing victims and potential victims of trafficking temporary shelter, counseling, repatriation, and legal advice. It will be completed in December 2007.
Ambassador Kenney poses with members of the MIAA's Task Force on Human Trafficking, employees of the Visayan Forum Foundation, and partners in the fight against human trafficking. Making progress on this issue is a high priority for the U.S. Government and the American people. Development assistance from the American people contributed more than $1 million to support anti-trafficking activities in the Philippines last year, including nearly $500,000 in financial support to the VFF to operate halfway houses at several ports throughout the country. The U.S. also trains law enforcement officials on evidence-gathering techniques for human trafficking cases; and partners with prosecutors on creating models for handling these sensitive cases.

Last Update :: 05/09/2007

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