Pascual taps tourism cmte to help crack down on child trafficking

COUNCILOR Juancho R. Pascual moved for the inclusion of his committee on tourism in the upcoming City Council deliberations on measures against child trafficking, following the special report of Councilor Desiree Ann Dahino on the case of a missing child from Barangay Patag.

Pascual proposed the launch of a citywide 1343 hotline campaign in partnership with the tourism sector.

He stressed that hotels, resorts, internet cafés, and boarding houses must be proactive by reporting suspicious activities, noting these establishments are often monitoring hotspots for traffickers.

The councilor’s recommendation supports Dahino’s call for stronger child protection safeguards after traffickers managed to lure a boy from Bulua terminal under false pretenses. Despite coordinated efforts by authorities and the child’s father, the boy remains missing.

Dahino earlier proposed amendments to the city’s Comprehensive Children’s Welfare Code, along with new protocols to tighten terminal security and community alert systems.

Pascual stressed that the active involvement of the tourism industry will further strengthen the city’s campaign against child trafficking.

The report, along with Pascual’s recommendation, has been referred by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez to the committees on women and family relations, social services, tourism, public order and safety, and barangay affairs for further study and action. (FDC/SP)