GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, and the Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines (PDAP), are working together to raise awareness on human trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
Through its partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), PDAP’s Strengthening Local Systems and Partnerships for more Effective and Sustainable Counter Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines (Strength CTIP) project has collaborated with national government agencies, local governments, local non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to combat labor trafficking, online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC), and the development of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM), as well as other forms of human trafficking.
The Philippine government and local non-government organizations estimate that 60,000 to 100,000 Filipino children are trafficked annually, while the prevalence of OSAEC and CSAEM has increased in recent years especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The pandemic also increased the number of unemployed workers, making them more vulnerable to labor trafficking.
The Philippines remains to be a Tier 1 country in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons report of the US State Department, acknowledging the efforts of the Philippine government in addressing human trafficking. However, much more can be done by involving the general public in combating human trafficking.
GCash users will see a pop-up on the GCash app, encouraging users to be aware of the problem of human trafficking and encouraging them to report any instance of human trafficking that they experience or witness.
“USAID and PDAP’s Strength CTIP Project looks forward to a strong partnership with GCash in the fight against human trafficking. GCash enables their 94 million users to learn more about the red flags of human trafficking and provides the means to report traffickers,” said PDAP Strength CTIP chief of party Eugenio M. Gonzales. “This collaboration highlights the private sector’s crucial role in addressing social ills.”
“GCash is committed to promoting trust and security, which includes the safety and well-being of all Filipinos,” said Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, GCash chief legal officer. “We recognize the power of our platform in amplifying important advocacies that directly affect vulnerable members of our community. We join our partners and other stakeholders around the world in raising awareness about the importance of putting an end to human trafficking.”
GCash has been a staunch advocate for safer online spaces and more secure fintech platforms for Filipinos. The company has been working with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to promote a safer and more secure cyberspace, especially for the most vulnerable sectors in the Philippines, which include women and children.
Instances or experiences of human trafficking may be reported via the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking at (02) 1343 or via www.1343actionline.ph or the Department of Migrant Workers at (02) 1348 or via [email protected].