Davao City – College and technical-vocational students take center stage this year as the Interagency Council Against Trafficking in Region XI (IACAT XI) launches for the first time a video infomercial competition for them.

This was bared by Director Priscilla N. Razon of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

With a maximum length of two minutes and using any form of multi-media gadget, IACAT XI was able to elicit seven entries from colleges and universities throughout the region, Director Razon said.

“We will have the screening of entries on Wednesday, November 18 at Cinematheque Davao and subsequently, the public viewing and judging of the five finalists is set at Abreeza Mall Cinema on December 4,” she added.

According to Alma D. Acera, focal of DSWD Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons, judging will also use public poll during the public viewing and through number of likes obtained in Facebook.

Acera said winning videos will be played in Davao Region cinemas and taxicabs as a motivational tool in the in the campaign for the prevention and eradication of human trafficking.

Three top entries will receive a plaque and P 30,000.00, P 20,000.00 and P 10,000.00, respectively during the awards ceremonies on December 11, she said.

Launch of the official IACAT XI Infomercial for 2015 as well as the Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with Taxi Operators and Cinema Owners will also be conducted on said date, Acera added.

The nation once again underscores the importance of public vigilance against human trafficking with its annual observance of the Human Trafficking Awareness Month from November 12 until December 12.

In Davao Region, the month-long event opened with a press conference Kapihan sa PIA held at NCCC Mall Conference Room on November 6.

Other activities include a Zumba For A Cause simultaneously conducted in Davao City, Digos City and Compostela Valley; and a Stakeholders’ Conference and Grand Launch of Project Counter TIPSTER to Fight Trafficking In Person.

IACAT is the regional body that caters to cases of trafficking. Member agencies are DSWD, DOJ, DILG, DepEd, CHED, DOH, DFA, NCIP, DOLE, POEA, PIA, OWWA, PPA, CAAP, PNP, NBI, BID, CHR, Tambayan Center, Child Alert, Center for Overseas Workers, LGU Davao City, PLGUs and city local governments.

Forms of trafficking in persons (TIP) include illegal recruitment, sexual exploitation, forced labor or involuntary servitude, removal or sale of organs, armed activities of children, cybersex and sex tours. (DSWD)