Capitol dads to strengthen ordinance to protect minors

The Cebu Provincial Board will see how it can improve an  existing ordinance that   aims to protect barangays from human trafficking.

Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III said he has spoken with Vice Gov.  Agnes Magpale about the  the matter.

“I spoke to vice governor during the caucus last Monday and I think there is already a move to rehash or improve the ordinance,”  he said during the Kapistorya forum at the Capitol yesterday.

In 2008, an ordinance was passed making mandatory the registration of all forms of recruitment and placement activities in all  barangays of Cebu province.

The Barangay Recruitment and Placement Ordinance requires job recruiters to submit their intent on the conduct of recruitment to the respective barangays.

“We will study it carefully and find a way to make it more effective,” said Martinez, who is also the president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Cebu.

Four four underage girls were recently rescued from a motel in Bogo City where the minors stayed overnight with  a Canadian retiree.

Bogo  Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. issued an executive order requiring the registration of non-residents in the barangays  as a safety measure after charges of child abuse were filed against the tourist.

In the last three months, three male foreigners were apprehended by police in relation to  allegations of  child sex abuse.

PB Member Martinez said that he has also spoken to the mayor, his father, about  the problem.

Martinez said that he has already notified barangay captains, especially in the northern part of Cebu, to intensify efforts against human trafficking.

He said the ABC has been issuing identification cards to all members of the Liga ng Barangay, which consists of barangay captains, secretaries, treasurers, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officals, barangay tanods, and members of The Lupong Tagapamayapa.

During the media forum,  Martinez said with the ID cards, the barangay captains, treasurers, and secretaries can get a 20% discount on bus fares of some bus companie and can be used in both government and business transactions.