Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC of Catbalogan City

10/09/2026

🎭UNMASKING THE 6 DISGUISES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKERS 🎭

Human trafficking doesn’t always look the way we expect. Traffickers can use trust, promises, gifts, manipulation, fear, and control to exploit vulnerable youth. 🎭

This visual guide highlights six common disguises and tactics—including The Pretender, The Provider, The Promiser, The Protector, and The Punisher—to help us recognize warning signs before someone becomes a victim.

🛡️ PROTECT by knowing the warning signs.
🚨 RESCUE by recognizing when something isn’t right and speaking up.
❤️ RESTORE by supporting survivors with compassion, dignity, and hope.
📚 EDUCATE & BUILD AWARENESS by sharing accurate information.
🤝 GET INVOLVED by working together as a community to protect our children and vulnerable individuals.

Awareness can be a powerful first line of defense. When we know what to look for, we are better equipped to protect, respond, and make a difference.

Together, we can help unmask exploitation and build safer communities. 💙

Protect. Rescue. Restore. Educate. Awareness. Community.

10/09/2026

Human trafficking is a serious crime that greatly impacts those who have been victimized. However, it is still widely misunderstood how trafficking occurs and what tactics a trafficker may use.

The pervasive myth that abduction is the most common trafficking tactic is one of the most harmful misconceptions about human trafficking. In reality, most people know or have some prior relationship to the perpetrator and are coerced or deceived into agreeing to forced labor or commercial s*x. This misconception makes it significantly harder for the majority of people to recognize human trafficking in their community.

10/09/2026

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), through the Women and Family Program, in collaboration with the City Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (CCAT-VAWC), successfully conducted the CCAT-VAWC Capacity Development Training and Workshop with a theme: "Strengthening Frontline Action: Building a Unified, Empowered, and Gender-Responsive CCAT-VAWC for Safer Communities", on September 7–9, 2026, at the City Health Department Conference Room, Catbalogan City.

On September 7, 2026, the newly assigned CLGOO VI, Ms. Ma. Vanessa C. Borja, from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), discussed the Overview of the Activity and the Functionality of the CCAT-VAWC. During the afternoon session, Prosecutor Kathrina R. Castillo from the City Prosecutor’s Office discussed the Institutionalization of the VAW Referral System and the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI). Lastly, Mr. Micah Premne G. Amable, RSW, from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VIII (DSWD FO VIII), discussed the Salient Features and Provisions of Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004.

On September 8, 2026, Mr. Amable discussed Republic Act No. 11930, otherwise known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act. He also facilitated Gender Sensitivity Modules 1 and 2, which focused on the basic concepts and principles of gender sensitivity.

On September 9, 2026, Mr. Amable continued the discussion on Gender Sensitivity Modules 3 and 4, further enhancing the participants’ understanding of gender-related concepts and the importance of applying gender-responsive approaches in their respective roles and responsibilities.

The City Government of Catbalogan, through the CCAT-VAWC, continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening the functionality of the Committee and ensuring a coordinated and responsive approach to addressing issues of trafficking, violence against women and their children, and other forms of abuse. Through the active participation and collaboration of its member agencies and stakeholders, the City remains dedicated to promoting the protection, safety, rights, and overall well-being of women and their children. The capacity development activity further strengthened the commitment of the CCAT-VAWC to provide timely, accessible, and gender-responsive services and to continuously improve its programs and interventions for the welfare and protection of women and children in Catbalogan City.

01/06/2026

𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙜𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙣, 𝙢𝙜𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙤𝙥 𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙤 𝙝𝙖 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙣!

As the second batch for the rollout of the 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗚𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧) among Tourism Enterprises and Partner Agencies on Anti-Trafficking, this is scheduled on June 03-06, 2026 at Catbalogan City Health Department Conference Hall.

The month of June is considered as one of the peak months following after the summer months of April and May as this month is when the Independence Day is celebrated together with the Charter Anniversary of Catbalogan's cityhood, which in turn drives unprecedented growth for our hotels, and other tourism enterprises and stakeholders.

Large-scale gatherings and high visitor turnover historically increase the vulnerability of a destination to human trafficking and exploitation. To ensure that our economic success does not come at a human cost, the City must proactively professionalize its tourism frontline through specialized anti-trafficking training.

This training is being made in partnership with the Catbalogan City Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) and the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC of Catbalogan City (LCAT VAWC) both headed by City Mayor Dexter Uy and this seeks to provide our partners with the "behavioral indicators" necessary to identify potential trafficking situations, such as unusual guest patterns or signs of coercion and others. By empowering our workforce with this knowledge, we move from reactive policing to a proactive culture of protection, where every room attendant, tourism frontliners, and other stakeholders act as a trained guardian of the city’s dignity.

𝘿𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙤 𝙐𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙣!

26/05/2026

𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙜𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙣, 𝙢𝙜𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙤𝙥 𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙤 𝙝𝙖 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙣!

From May 19-22, 2026, identified tourism enterprises and stakeholders in Catbalogan City attended the 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗚𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧) on Anti-Trafficking as one of the identified activities under the 2026 Gender and Development (GAD) Plan.

Training was made in partnership with the Catbalogan City Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS), the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC of Catbalogan City (LCAT VAWC), and the Catbalogan City Social Welfare & Development Office (CSWDO).

The summer months of April and May bring a surge of activities in Catbalogan City with the numerous barangay fiestas, alumni reunions, and conducted trainings around the city, which in turn drives unprecedented growth for our hotels, and other tourism enterprises and stakeholders.

Large-scale gatherings and high visitor turnover historically increase the vulnerability of a destination to human trafficking and exploitation. To ensure that our economic success does not come at a human cost, the City must proactively professionalize its tourism frontline through specialized anti-trafficking training.

We expand the definition of a "Safe Space" beyond the prevention of street harassment to include the active detection of more severe forms of exploitation. This alignment transforms our tourism enterprises into the city’s primary line of defense, ensuring that every public and private space in Catbalogan remains a sanctuary for both residents and guests.

Our special thanks to Mr. Cyril Jose Ignacio who served as resource person to the said training, providing key inputs and information to the participants, evidently showcased during the lectures and simulation exercises.

The training provided our partners with the "behavioral indicators" necessary to identify potential trafficking situations, such as unusual guest patterns or signs of coercion and others. By empowering our workforce with this knowledge, we move from reactive policing to a proactive culture of protection, where every room attendant, tourism frontliners, and other stakeholders act as a trained guardian of the city’s dignity.

𝘿𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙤 𝙐𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙣!

12/02/2026

Today, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, together with its partner agencies, Plan International Pilipinas, RCAT-VAWC, DSWD, PNP, and DepEd, successfully conducted an activity in observance of the 2026 Safer Internet Day with the theme “Ako, Ikaw, Tayo: Konektado at Protektado Laban sa OSAEC at CSAEM.”

The activity was attended by students from different schools, who actively participated in the discussions.

This training is highly relevant in today’s digital age, especially in enhancing students’ knowledge, awareness, and safety online.

It is hoped that through continued education and collaboration, there will be no more victims of online s*xual abuse and exploitation in the future.

09/02/2026

𝗔𝗸𝗼, 𝗜𝗸𝗮𝘄, 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲!

The City Government of Catbalogan, joins the Council for the Welfare of Children and the entire nation in observing the 30th National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation this February 8-14, 2026. Through this observance, the City Government reaffirms its commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all children, ensuring they are protected from harm and exploitation.

Proclamation No. 731, series of 1996, designates the second week of February as National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, a time to reflect on the importance of safeguarding children and raising awareness about the dangers of abuse and exploitation.

The City of Catbalogan calls on everyone to unite in breaking the silence, listening to the children, and strengthening collective efforts to safeguard their future. Reporting abuse is the first step toward justice and healing.

Derecho Uswag Catbalogan!

12/12/2025

Last night, December 11, 2025, the Sasaro ngan Pagsasaro—a Dinner with Champions and Sharing of Experiences on Anti-VAWC Actions and Interventions—successfully marked the culminating activity of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAWC.

This meaningful event was made possible through the leadership of our Mayor, Hon. Dexter M. Uy, in coordination with our CSWDO, Ma’am Annie G. Mustacisa, MOVE Coordinator Mr. Ronaldo Espino, and GAD Focal Person Ma’am Judith Delos Reyes. Their hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment truly contributed to the success of this gathering.

Together, let us continue striving for a VAW-free community, a safe place for all, and a better world free from violence.

DERECHO USWAG CATBALOGAN!

01/12/2025

01/12/2025

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), headed by Ms. Annie G. Mustacisa, in collaboration with the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (LCAT-VAWC), successfully conducted the “Training on VAWC and GBV Localized Referral System and Pathways” on December 1, 2025, at Bodega Skol Bar, Catbalogan City. The activity was jointly facilitated by Women and Family Welfare Program Head Ms. Judith A. Delos Reyes and MOVE Coordinator Mr. Ronaldo N. Espino.

This one-day training formed part of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with the theme “United for a VAW-Free Philippines.”

The session was made possible through the expertise of Mr. Micah Premne G. Amable, RSW, Project
Development Officer III of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VIII, who served as the Resource Person. Mr. Amable provided an in-depth discussion on Republic Act 9262, also known as the Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, and elaborated on the roles and responsibilities of Barangay Officials and Barangay VAW Desk Officers in responding to VAW/VAC cases.

The success of the activity was further strengthened through the support of City Mayor Dexter M. Uy, the City Councilors, Barangay VAWC Desk Officers, MOVE members, and Women’s Organizations.

Together, let’s build a safer, more inclusive, and violence-free Catbalogan for everyone! 🙏🏼

D E R E C H O U S W A G C A T B A L O G A N 🧡