February 22, 2007

 

U.S. PROVIDES P12-M ADDITIONAL GRANT
FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS EFFORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

 

 

U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney signed today, Feb. 22, a new grant agreement providing $300,000 in support of the anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) efforts being carried out by the non-governmental organization Visayan Forum Foundation (VFF).  VFF Executive Director Cecille Flores-Obaenda co-signed the grant during a ceremony held at the Port Halfway House at the Batangas International Port.

            The funds will be used to support on-going operations at the ports in Batangas, Davao, Manila and Sorsogon.  VFF recently opened a halfway house in Zamboanga City.  VFF has received multiple grants from various agencies of the U.S. government for the past several years.

            The battle against human trafficking 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 in 2006, 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. 

            During the Batangas visit, Ambassador Kenney paid a courtesy call on Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, met with members of the Batangas anti-TIP network, toured the Batangas Port facilities and visited the production facilities of Littlefuse Philippines, Inc. in Lipa City.  The U.S.-based company employs more than 1,000 people at the Batangas plant.

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