SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian sought the allocation of more funds for the government’s campaign to curb online sexual abuse and exploitation of children and other forms of human trafficking.

Gatchalian decried the almost 35 percent budget reduction for the anti-trafficking in persons enforcement from P90 million in 2022 to P59 million in the proposed 2023 National Expenditure Program.

“Human trafficking is a clear and present danger in our country. It’s still happening right now,” he warned.

“If we can increase the budget just a bit more, so much the better,” Gatchalian said.

The senator expressed concern that the budget cut could affect the Philippines’ Tier 1 ranking under the United States Department of State’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Report for 2022, which the Philippines has maintained since 2016.

Countries with a Tier 1 ranking have met the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons.

Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty confirmed that the budget cut would affect the country’s ranking.

Gatchalian emphasized the need to fund and implement the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, a law which he co-authored and sponsored.

The senator was also a co-author of the Anti-Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act which lapsed into law last July.

The Department of Justice believes that these two laws will make the government more capable in curtailing human trafficking, OSAEC and other crimes.