POEA intensifies drive against illegal recruitment, trafficking in Ilocos Norte

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—With the increasing number of Ilocanos migrating abroad to find employment, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in partnership with the 21 municipalities and two cities of Ilocos Norte, has intensified their information drive against illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons.

As a result, another illegal recruitment case was filed on at the Marcos Hall of Justice against Joan Guillermo of Brgy. Valenciano in Dingras, Ilocos Norte for recruiting at least seven women, of legal age from Laoag City to work abroad.

Based on investigation conducted by the Crime Investigation and Detection Group, it was discovered that Ms. Guillermo had no POEA license to recruit overseas workers.

Ms. Guillermo’s case is now the 13^th illegal recruitment charge filed in Ilocos Norte.

“The increase of [illegal recruitment] cases maybe positive or negative. But in terms of our intensified drive against illegal recruitment, we can say that this is a positive development because complainants are now aware of their rights and know whom to seek help in filing cases against illegal recruiters,” said Delfina Camarillo, POEA Regional Center based in San Fernando City, La Union officer-in-charge.

While in Ilocos Norte for the filing of charges against the latest case of illegal recruitment here, Ms. Camarillo said they continue to assist applicants for overseas employment.

Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, the POEA along with other government agencies gather at the Ilocos Norte provincial auditorium for a one-stop shop service for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

She said illegal recruitment remains a major concern with increasing cases of illegal recruitment filed in court.

“This is why the POEA continue to forge memorandum of understanding with local government units involving barangay officials to help out in the campaign,” she said.

Aiming for an illegal recruitment-free province of Ilocos Norte, Camarillo said a continuing campaign against illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons is being conducted in various parts of the province.

When applying for work abroad, Camarillo reminded applicants to take precautionary measures and ensure that their application passes through the POEA and work abroad the legal way.

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