COUNTER-TRAFFICKING ADVOCACIES IN NEGROS OCC. & CEBU
For NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, the Laura Vicuña Foundation(LVF) has reached seven thousand five hundred seventy-three (7,573) students and parents combined from November 7-29, 2019. LVF has partnered with various schools namely: Don Felix Robles Elementary School - La Castellana (78 students) on Nov.7, Home of Hope-Bacolod (21) and Alfonso Sta. Ana Memorial National High School (100) on November 9; Laura Vicuña Women Development Training Center-Malihao (135 students) on November 12;Estado Elementary School-Mimi Extension (64 students and 15 parents) and Estado Elementary School (116) on November 14; Valencia Ko Elementary School (64) and San Enrique National High School (874) on November 15;Sibucao Evangelical Church-San Enrique, Negros Occ. (275) on November 16; St. Francis of Assisi School-Silay City (314) and Brgy. Estado National High School-Victorias City (152) on November 19; Rosario Elementary School-La Castellana (73) on November 20; Nicolas L. Jalandoni Memorial School - E.B Magalona (66) on November 21;Bagonawa Evangelical Church San Enrique (99 students and 13 parents) and Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV) (500) on November 23; Cudangdang Elementary School (99) and Sta. Teresa Elementary School (65 students and 13 parents) and Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School (DVFGMNHS) Cadiz City (1,880) on November 27; Cuaycong Elementary School (334) and Nanca Elementary School (149) on November 28; Victorias National High School-Canetown (412), Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias-Integrated School (CSAV I.S.) (1,098), Villa Victorias Elementary School (365) and Salvacion Elementary School (199) on November 29. Schools and communities work collaboratively with LVF in conducting these sessions to counter trafficking and different abuses among children. The said advocacy sessions were made possible through the partnership with DepEd Neg. Occ. and Cadiz City, school principals and barangay heads.
One student from CSAV said that we should open our minds to these situations like trafficking, abuses and exploitation. Who knows it might happen to us in the future.That is why it is good that we have this advocacy session. Another student from DVFGMNHS said they are still very lucky because they have parents who send them to school and through this advocacy was inspired to study very well. One mother from LVWDTC also said that ‘’As a parent, we are primarily responsible for our children and it is our obligation to protect and support them in their welfare and development.
As for CEBU CITY, five thousand five hundred eighty-seven (5,587) students of Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School (RDMNHS) in Guadalupe, Cebu City were given the sessions by Ms. Mercedes A. Juncia on November 4 to 28, 2019.These were some of the sharings of some students: one student learned that some obstacles in one’s life are not hindrances in reaching one’s dreams in life. Another one said in order to help the victims of abuses, trafficking and exploitation we need to speak up and take action. Then another one said, child pornography is not a joke. It has been a very real problem in the Philippines. That is why, boys should stop watching them.The RDMNHS principal was very thankful to LVF for giving them the opportunity to have these advocacy sessions. With these sessions, the students are now aware on how they can reject trafficking, abuses and exploitation.