MANILA – The Senate Committee on Finance has granted significant budget realignments for women and children’s protection, as well as health, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros reported on Thursday.
During the regular Kapihan sa Senado, Hontiveros cited additional funding that she proposed for the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT) and the National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Abuse and Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) in 2025.
“Para palakasin ang laban sa human trafficking, PHP84.9 million ang idadagdag natin sa pondo ng IACAT. Malaking bagay yan sa kampanya para wakasan ang POGO at iba pang scam na nambibiktima sa mga Pilipino sa loob at labas ng bansa (To strengthen the fight against human trafficking, we will add PHP84.9 million to the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking fund. That is a big help in the campaign to end POGO and other scams that prey on Filipinos inside and outside the country),” Hontiveros said.
“PHP32.7 million naman ang idadagdag sa NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM, para palakasin ang laban sa lumalalang pang-aabuso sa kabataang Pilipino sa digital space (PHP32.7 million will be added to the NCC-OSAEC CSAEM, to strengthen the fight against the worsening abuse of Filipino youth in the digital space),” she added.
The NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM is a sub-structure of the IACAT which operates under the Department of Justice.
She said the implementation of the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law shall also be strengthened through an additional PHP5 million to reinforce the operation of the Sumbungan Board under the Department of Health.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, has vowed to make 2025 national budget “pro-Pinoy” that will prioritize security, health, and other needs of Filipinos.
Meanwhile, the senator also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for finding a way to send Mary Jane Veloso back to the Philippines.
“Salamat kay Presidente na na-clinch niya ang mahabang prosesong ito ng pagpapaliban, pagpipigil na mapataw yang parusang bitay kay Mary Jane Veloso at sa wakas naiuwi siya dito sa ating bansa (Thanks to the President for clinching the long process of postponing, preventing the imposition of the death penalty on Mary Jane Veloso and finally bringing her home to our country),” Hontiveros said, while also thanking the Indonesian government.
She also urged concerned government agencies to ensure Veloso’s welfare and security when she arrives and is housed in a local detention facility amid threats to her life. (PNA)