Guidelines and Mechanisms to Implement the Bureau of Immigration Integrated Anti-Trafficking in Persons Action Plan

June 2, 2011

BI MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. RADJR 2011-006

PRESCRIBING THE GUIDELINES AND MECHANISMS TO IMPLEMENT THEBUREAU OF IMMIGRATION INTEGRATED ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (BI-IATIP) ACTION PLAN

Pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. RPL-11-004 issued on 01 March 2011, in relation to Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as "The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003", the following guidelines and mechanisms to serve as the organizational framework to implement the BI Integrated Anti-Trafficking in Persons (IATIP) Action Plan is hereby prescribed:

CHAPTER I

The Coordinating Committee

SECTION 1. Creation and Composition. — The Bureau of Immigration Integrated Anti-Trafficking in Persons (BI-IATIP) Coordinating Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, is hereby created composed of the following:

Chairman	-	Chief, Law and Investigation Division
Vice-Chairman	-	Chief, Immigration Regulation Division
Members	-	Executive Director
		Chief, Airport Operations Division
		Chief, Intelligence Division
		Chief, Computer Section
		Chief, Bay Service Section
		Head, SPASCO Secretariat
		Head, CCGG Technical and Administrative Support Group

SECTION 2. Functions. — The Committee shall have the following functions:

a. administer BI Integrated Anti-Trafficking in Persons (IATIP) Action Plan;

b. oversee, coordinate and supervise the overall execution and implementation of the strategic activities by the respective accountable offices as contained in Annex A hereof; AHTICD

c. perform the specific roles and responsibilities of the Bureau under Republic Act No. 9208;

d. act as advisor to the Commissioner on matters pertaining to issues, concerns and developments on trafficking in persons;

e. submit progress reports to the Commissioner on a monthly basis or as may be required from time to time; and

f. perform such other functions as may be directed by the Commissioner.

CHAPTER 2

Meetings

SECTION 3. Meetings. — The Committee shall meet regularly at least once a month. Special meetings may be called by the Chair as the need arises. The Committee Secretariat shall be charged to notify the members for the schedule of meetings and all related activities.

CHAPTER 3

Secretariat

SECTION 4. Secretariat; Functions. — The Technical and Administrative Support Group of the Composite Committee on Good Governance (CCGG) shall be attached to the Committee as its Secretariat to perform the following functions:

a. Coordinate with Committee members and monitor the progress of the implementation of the BI IATIP Action Plan and its strategic activities;

b. Establish, maintain and manage all records of the Committee;

c. Act as focal unit of contact and coordination between the Bureau and IACAT members;

d. Attend related meetings, seminars, activities or as deemed fit by the Committee Chairman;

e. Submit a detailed Work and Financial Plan (WFP) on the BI IATIP Action Plan and its strategic activities; and

f. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Committee.

CHAPTER 4

Focal Person to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT)

SECTION 5. BI Focal Person to IACAT; Functions. — A permanent focal person will be designated by the Commissioner, upon recommendation of the Committee, as its official representative to the IACAT and shall discharge the following functions: HTCAED

a. Attend in all Committee and IACAT meetings;

b. Provide inputs and updates to the Committee pertaining to discussions and developments in the IACAT meetings and vice versa;

c. Submits written reports to the Committee on matters related to trafficking in persons as often as necessary;

d. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Committee.

CHAPTER 5

Trainings, Capacity Building and Communication and Advocacy

SECTION 6. Trainings and Capacity Buildings. — The Committee shall formulate rights-based approached training modules, conduct periodic training and other capability building programs related with trafficking in persons to immigration officers, intelligence officers and other concerned Bureau personnel. Such training modules and programs shall include, but not limited to, skills, knowledge and techniques of assessing potential trafficked victims and coping mechanisms in maintaining self-confidence and integrity in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.

SECTION 7. Research. — The Committee shall likewise conduct a periodic study and research of trafficking trends, routes and modus operandi of human traffickers.

SECTION 8. Communication and Advocacy. — In cooperation with other concerned government agencies and non-governmental organizations, the Committee shall develop and distribute materials containing advisories and other pertinent information to enhance public awareness against trafficking in persons.

CHAPTER 6

Final Provisions

SECTION 10. n Amendments.— Recognizing that the fight against human trafficking in persons is evolving in complexity and nature, the BI Integrated Anti-Trafficking in Persons (IATIP) Prevention Action Plan and its corresponding strategic activities, as well as this Memorandum Order may be amended or modified to ensure its relevance.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. — All circular, memoranda, orders and other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. — This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

Let copies of this Memorandum Order be furnished to the Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. ITScHa

(SGD.) RICARDO A. DAVID, JR.CommissionerBureau of Immigration

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official copy. Missing Section 9.