Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAW
The Local Committees on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (LCAT-VAWC) is a mechanism established to coordinate and monitor the implementation of Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004). Through the issuance of Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010 by DILG, DOJ, and DSWD, the creation of LCAT-VAWCs strengthened local structures to collaboratively address the problems of trafficking and VAWC.
Membership composition of LCAT-VAWC:
Provincial Committee (PCAT-VAWC) | City/Municipal Committee (C/MCAT-VAWC) |
Provincial Governor Provincial Planning & Development Coordinator Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Provincial Health Officer Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children and Family Sangguniang Panlalawigan Provincial Public Employment and Services Officer Provincial Schools Superintendent DepEdField Office Director CSC Provincial Prosecutor DOJ Provincial Director DILG Provincial Director PNP NGO Representatives of: o Women o Children o Overseas Filipino Workers | City/Municipal Mayor City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer City/Municipal Health Officer Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children and Family Sangguniang Panlungsod/Pambayan City/Municipal Public Employment and Services Officer City/Municipal Prosecutor City Director/City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officer City/Municipal Chief of Police NGO Representatives of: o Women o Children o Overseas Filipino Workers |
Functions of the Local Committees:
- Institute policies and programs to protect women and children who are victims of trafficking-in-persons (TIP) and violence against women and their children (VAWC)
- Create and establish systems on surveillance, investigation, and rescue to ensure effective and efficient coordination.
- Undertake information, education, and advocacy campaign against TIP and VAWC
- Monitor and oversee the strict implementation of RA 9208, RA 9262, and other related laws for the protection of women and children, and of the IACAT and IACVAWC national plans of action.
The Council, through the DILG is developing a tool to monitor and assess the functionality of LCAT-VAWCs. It is the primary mechanism to address TIP and VAWC at the local level.