More than providing the necessary facilities for the much-needed comfort and convenience of all sea-going passengers, the Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro (PMO MO/C) strides to ensure the safety and security of all passengers especially women and children from all forms of violence and exploitation while at the ports under its jurisdiction, especially in the Port of Cagayan de Oro that caters hundreds of passengers everyday. With this, the PMO enjoined the port and community members particularly the shipping lines to help uphold protection of women and children at the ports.

An Anti-Violence Against Women and Children and Anti-Human Trafficking Team Capacity Building Training, with resource speakers from the Philippine National Police(PNP), Department of Justice(DOJ), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)  was conducted on 06 December 2019 at the PMO MO/C GAD Hall, Building 2.

The personnel of the Port Police Division, Passenger Terminal Complex Manager, and representatives from shipping lines were informed about: ways to detect possible case of exploitation and/or human trafficking at ports; enhanced security procedures to safeguard the welfare of the passengers especially women and children who are considered to be more susceptible to exploitation and other forms of violence; proper handling of the victims, management and referral of cases, among others.

Atty. Lito Sanchez of DOJ reminded everybody to be always mindful of the occurrences around the vicinity, in order to prevent any incident to happen inside and outside the port, that threatens the welfare and well-being of the citizens. Hence, everyone is encouraged, to be vigilant and work hand-in-hand in pursuit of the protection of women and children at ports. With few attendance from the shipping lines during the event, the PMO looks forward to more active engagement of all shipping lines at CDO Port in this pursuit.

The agencies including the PPA PMO MO/C are members of the Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking- Against Child Pornography – Violence Against Women and Children(RIACAT-ACP-VAWC).