NORTHERN SAMAR: In a bid to thwart human trafficking efforts, the provincial government of northern Samar province has decided to require all recruiters to register at barangays, where they are looking to conduct recruitment activities.

Based on Ordinance No. 09, Series of 2011, the Northern Samar provincial government said that it is now requiring all recruiters to be registered with the barangays or else face sanctions.

“It is imperative to have a serious examination on the recruitment and placement activities conveniently done at the barangay level and provide stringent requirement in the conduct thereof in order to curtail this social epidemic, being an insult to the rule of law and a violation of the fundamental rights of an individual,” said the six-page decree.

“All persons intending to conduct recruitment and placement activities in a barangay, within the jurisdiction of the province of northern Samar, much register such intent with the office of the Punong Barangay of the barangay concerned,” noted Section 3 of the ordinance.

It added that the registration shall also serve as application for a barangay permit to conduct recruitment and placement activities “within the barangay.”

In registering, the recruiter is required to submit Certificate of Registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if it is a corporation or partnership; Business Permit from the Local Government Unit, where it’s principal office is located; Certificate of Registration issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue; Certificate of Registration issued by the Department of Labor and Employment for domestic jobs and by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration for overseas job placement; and Job Order(s) from the recruiter’s client or prospective employer(s) indicating the complete address and contact numbers of the employers, the actual place of work, number of persons needed for the job, job description, the required skills, talent and educational attainment of the recruit.

Throughout the recruitment period, the provincial government said that barangay chairman is mandated to continue monitoring recruitment activities.

After the recruitment, the recruiter is also required to submit a list of recruited individuals, names, ages and complete addresses “for reference and tracking purposes.”

To note, in 2006, there have been 69 human trafficking victims recorded in the province, with mostly involving minors ages 13 to 16.

Majority of the victims were also found to have been sourced from the towns of Allen, Mapanas, Catubig and Las Navas.

The ordinance states that any violations of its provisions could make the recruiter liable for imprisonment of not more than six months and/or a fine of not more than P5,000.

Similarly, any government employee or official, including the barangay chairman or his designated representative, found conspiring with illegal recruiters shall be held criminally liable aside from possible administrative sanctions.