Different government agencies under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) vowed to further intensify the fight against human trafficking in the country during the launch of National Anti-Trafficking Awareness Month at the Department of Justice.

IACAT Assistant Secretary-in-Charge Michelle Lapuz said organized crime can be defeated through organized systems of justice and the strict implementation of anti-trafficking laws.

“Our success lies in our willingness to work across institutions, across sectors, and across national borders. When criminals organize across borders to exploit humanity, nations and communities must unite to defend it,” Lapuz said.

This year’s theme is “Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon: Tapusin ang Human Trafficking Ngayon.”

Lapuz noted that the Philippines continues to maintain its Tier 1 status in the United States Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.

Tier 1 status is granted to governments that fully meet the minimum standards set by the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.

At present, the Philippines maintains the highest anti-trafficking ranking despite challenges related to corruption and gaps in victim protection.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Director Opeña said the government continues to provide assistance to survivor-victims nationwide through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons.

For the first quarter of 2026, the government served 507 cases, including 394 new cases and 113 continuing cases.

Opeña also noted that the National Capital Region recorded the highest number of trafficking survivor-victims in 2026, with 206 cases.

She added that the government has allocated a ₱21-million budget for survivor-victims, covering financial aid as well as sustainable livelihood assistance.

“Because financial assistance is just a one-time assistance that could help our victim-survivors, we want them to have a sustainable source of income, of course, to prevent them from being re-victimized and going back to whatever activities they were engaged in,” Opeña said.