MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assisted more than 1,400 victim-survivors of human trafficking through its Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) in the first six months of 2025.

Launched in 2022, the RRPTP provides a comprehensive package of services to help survivors recover and reintegrate into society. Interventions include psycho-social, medical, legal, transportation, livelihood, and educational assistance, as well as temporary shelter when necessary.

“Ang DSWD ay kasama sa tinatawag na Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). By virtue of Republic Act 11860 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2022, minandato ng batas ang DSWD para magkaroon ng programa, kaya ipinanganak ang RRPTP,” said Protective Services Bureau Director Alfrey Gulla during the radio program Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan on September 13.

The DSWD also co-chairs the IACAT with the Department of Justice. Gulla explained that trafficking can happen both domestically and internationally, taking forms such as illegal recruitment, debt bondage, slavery, sexual exploitation, organ removal, and forced labor.

He said social workers are central to the RRPTP, assisting survivors from the point of rescue up to reintegration. “Ang puso ng RRPTP ay ang ating mga social workers… nakadepende yan sa assessment ng ating social workers,” he stressed.

The program also coordinates with local government units (LGUs), especially in the monitoring of reintegrated survivors. In cases where family reintegration is not possible, survivors may instead be placed with next of kin or foster families.

From 2022 to 2024, a total of 6,044 survivors nationwide were served under the RRPTP. Gulla urged the public to help in the fight against trafficking by reporting cases through the 1343 hotline.

“Huwag po tayong matakot magsumbong kung meron tayong naobserbahan or nadinig na reports ng trafficking,” he said.