24/07/2026
๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ผ๐ปโ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ง ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ช๐๐๐ง
In observance of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (WDAT), the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) Luzon will launch its Community PROTECT (Parish and Barangay Coordinating Team to Combat Human Trafficking) Consultative Forum and Formation across five dioceses through six pilot parishes from July to August 2026.
The initiative seeks to strengthen parish-based and community-led efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking by fostering collaboration among the Church, local government units, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, schools, and other stakeholders. It also aims to build the capacity of parish leaders and community partners to establish coordinated mechanisms for protecting children, families, migrants, and other vulnerable sectors from trafficking and exploitation.
The pilot implementation will begin on July 25 at Sto. Niรฑo Parish, City of San Fernando, Pampanga (Archdiocese of San Fernando). This will be followed by Our Lady of Grace Parish, Grace Park, Caloocan City (Diocese of Kalookan) on August 7, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Binangonan, Rizal (Diocese of Antipolo) on August 10, Mater Dolorosa Parish, East Rembo, Taguig City (Archdiocese of Manila) on August 14, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Project 8, Quezon City (Diocese of Cubao) on August 19, and will conclude on August 29 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City (Diocese of Cubao).
According to Edmund H. Ruga, ECMI Luzon Coordinator and Founding Coordinator of Community PROTECT, the initiative translates anti-human trafficking efforts into concrete action at the community level by identifying local realities and strengthening targeted interventions to build safer and more resilient communities.
Community PROTECT brings together parishes, barangays, government agencies, schools, and partner organizations to strengthen prevention, protection, and coordinated community responses against human trafficking, reaffirming ECMI Luzonโs commitment to safeguarding human dignity and protecting the most vulnerable.
