Senator Win Gatchalian vowed to secure additional funding to strengthen the government’s crackdown on different forms of human trafficking, including the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

During the hearing on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its attached agencies, Gatchalian noted that the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking was allocated P69 million under the National Expenditure Program. The National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) received an allocation of P28 million.

While the original allocations under the NEP are not adequate, Officer-in-Charge Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida reported that the General Appropriations Bill (House Bill No. 4058) already added P49.9 million for IACAT, while the (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) received an additional P42.5 million. Gatchalian vowed to support the allocation of additional funds.

“Kabataan talaga ang target ng human trafficking at OSAEC. Nakakapanlumo ‘pag nakikita natin ‘yung ginagawa sa kanila. I want to make sure that we have ample support for our enforcers, IACAT, and our coordinating center,” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN