FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S. E. 2 5 12 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Human trafficking is a concern that affects every country. The United Nations 
estimated that every year, there are 600,000 to 800,000 victims who are being trafficked 
across international borders. 
Developing countries like the Philippines are becoming one of the largest sources 
of trafficked persons. In the Philippines, it was estimated that more than 400,000 women 
and more than 100,000 children are being trafficked across countries every year. The 
traffickers are taking advantage of the fact that most Filipinos are seeking better 
opportunities overseas. Many Filipinos voluntarily migrate to work abroad only to be 
exploited in the end. 
But trdicking not only occurs across countries but also occurs within the 
country. The Philippines has internal trafEcking of women and children from rural areas, 
particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, to urban areas, such as Metro Manila and 
Cebu, for sexual exploitation or forced labor as domestic workers, factory workers, or in 
the drng trade. 
To address the alarming cases of tr&icking especially of women and children, 
Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act was passed in 2003. Republic 
Act 9208 enumerates various programs and services that the government should provide 
to trafficked victims particularly emergency shelter or appropriate housing, counseling, 
legal, medical and psychological services; livelihood and skills training; and education 
assistance to a trafficked child. 
With the increasing number of victims being assisted by the government, 
institutionalizing a temporary shelter program is necessary. Establishment of temporary 
shelters throughout the country will ensure that appropriate assistance such as medical 
and legal services will be provided for trafficking survivors. The provision of psycho- 
social counseling is also essential before the return to and reintegration of the trafficked 
persons with their respective families and community. The counseling will help them 
cope with their trauma, understand their situation better, and prevent the possibility of re- 
victimization. A trauma or crisis that is not resolved may lead to more psychological, 
social and medical problems. As observed by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas- 
Task Force Against Human Trafficking (CFO-TFHT) in the various cases it handles, 
most of the repatriated victims were suffering from severe trauma because of the 


exploitation that they had experienced. Others have to face more serious problems such 
as unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, broken families and accumulated 
debts. The shelter may also provide a proper and fair venue for family counseling for 
victims whose families are unaware of their sad plight or in some cases, where family 
members or relatives have facilitated their being recmited or trafficked. Most victims 
feared that they may feel unaccepted when they return to their home because of their 
“misfortune”. 
As part of the reintegration process for the trafficked persons, livelihood 
assistance and projects should be integral components of a shelter. Through the projects, 
they will be provided with opportunities for their livelihood upon their return to their 
respective homes. The livelihood trainings will also help them channel their energies into 
more productive activities as part of the “healing process”. 
Ultimately, this bill seeks to protect and empower the trafficked persons, and 
promote the pro-active commitment of the government in eliminating trafficking in 
persons. 
The immediate passage of this proposed Act is earnestly sought in consideration 
of the prevalence of trafficking of Filipinos and the emotional turmoil they experienced 
that needs to be addressed with urgency, 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S. B. 
2 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
AN ACT 
TO INSTITUTE MECHANISMS FOR THE CREATION OF TEMPORARY 
SHELTER PROGRAM FOR TRAFFICKED PERSONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1, Title. -This Act shall be known as the Temporary Shelter Program 
for Trafficked Persons Act of 2008. 
SECTION 2. Legal Basis. - The temporary shelter program shall be provided by 
the State, in accordance with the Section 23 on Mandatory Services to Trafficked Persons 
of Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trficking in Persons Act of 2003. 
The law specifically states that "to ensure recovery, rehabilitation and 
reintegration into the mainstream of society, concerned government agencies shall make 
available the following services to traffkked persons: 
(a) emergency shelter or appropriate housing; 
(b) counseling; 
(c) fiee legal services; 
(d) medical or psychological services; 
(e) livelihood and skills training; and 
(fJ educational assistance to a trafficked child. 
SECTION 3. Establishment of Temporary Shelter Houses for TrafJicked 
Persons. - There shall be temporary shelter houses to be established in metropolitan areas 
(Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao) in the Philippines, and in other provinces where 
trafficking incidents are most prevalent. 
SECTION 4. Objective of the Temporary Shelter Program. - The creation of 
temporary shelter program for trafficked persons shall have following objective: 


1. 
Provide a safe shelter to trafficked persons against possible 
threats; allows the provision of continuous psycho-social, 
counseling and medical services, and livelihood assistance 
for trafficked persons; and 
Facilitate faster case build-up for trafficked persons. 
2. 
SECTION 5. Criteria for Entitlement. - The program will provide temporary 
shelter for trafficked persons. An assessment from the legal officers and/or counselors is 
required to determine if the elements of trafficking are present. Victims of other forms of 
abuses not directly related to trafficking, will be referred to appropriate government or 
non-government agencies. 
Trafficked persons will be accommodated until they have been provided with 
appropriate assistance . Unless there are possible threats in their community, and 
reintegration should be delayed, priority will be given to trafficked persons who are based 
in the province. 
SECTION 6. Provision ofOther Services. - Trafficked persons who availed of 
the program shall also be provided with the necessary legal, medical, and psychosocial 
services. Livelihood assistance and trainings will be included in the program through 
partnership among government and non-government agencies, international 
organizations, civil society groups and the private sector. 
SECTION 7. Supervision of CFO. -The Commission on Filipinos Overseas 
(CFO) through its Task Force Against Human Trafficking (TFHT) shall supervise the 
establishment, implementation and operation of the temporary shelter program. The CFO 
shall appoint the necessary personnel to operate the temporary shelter, subject to civil 
service laws, rules and regulations. 
SECTION 8. Cooperation undFunding. - The amount of Five Million Pesos 
(Php 5,000,000.00) shall be sources from the Presidential Social Fund for the initial 
establishment and operation of the temporary shelter houses and shall be released to the 
CFO-TFHT. Funds necessary for the continued operation and maintenance in the 
succeeding years shall be integrated in budget of the CFO. 
A reasonable percentage of the earnings of the Philippine Gaming Corporation 
shall be allotted for the establishment and maintenance of the shelter homes. 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the CFO in coordination and consultation with other 
offices, shall formulate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 10. Efictivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least (2) national newspaper of 
general circulation. 
Approved,