La Union Consular Office Joins in 2017 Observance of 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (End VAW)

CO La Union’s Officer-In-Charge, Estellita V. Casuga and Assistance to Nationals Officer, Ms. Venus T. Valdez-Frutas, joined the Regional Advocacy on Gender and Equality (RAGE) Region I in the latter’s activities in this year’s said observance.  RAGE -1 is an organization of the various government agencies in the region who advocate for GAD. CO La Union’s Officer-In-Charge Estellita V. Casuga actively participated in suggesting to the Regional Advocacy on Gender and Equality Region I for this year’s 18-day campaign to End Violence Against Women for holding a Symposium on Information Campaign to combat human trafficking and illegal recruitment on December 12. Left photo: OIC Estellita Casuga introduces lecturer on Anti-Trafficking in Person, Atty. Maribelle J. Corpuz-Uminga, Assistant Regional Prosecutor of Regional Prosecution Office Region 1 of the Department of Justice.  Right photo:  OIC Casuga discusses human trafficking and illegal recruitment cases of OFWs in the Open Forum.       

The said Symposium started with an invocation and singing of the National Anthem and followed by the Welcome Remarks the Deputy Director of the BSP La Union Regional Office, Ms. Beta A. Cervantes. At the Symposium Proper, OIC Estellita V. Casuga introduced the Guest Speaker, Atty. Maribelle J. Corpuz-Uminga, Assistant Regional Prosecutor of Regional Prosecution Office Region I of the Department of Justice, who lectured on human trafficking and discussed on the Anti-Trafficking in Person (TIP) Act.  This was followed Atty. Anna Leah T. Romero of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region 1, who introduced the lecturer, Atty. Jeffrey P. Exiomo of the Philippine Overseas Employment and Administration (POEA), on the Law on Illegal Recruitment (IR). OIC Casuga with RAGE-1 President, Dra. Cherry May Pocsidio-Laroco, Dr. Aurora Valdez, Atty. Maribelle J. Corpuz-Uminga of DOJ, Atty. Jeffrey Exiomo of POEA and Atty. Anna Leah Romero.

Other RAGE-1 activities were Quiz Bee and and Poster Making Contests which were attended by this CO’s ATN Officer, Mrs. Venus Valdez-Frutas. The 2 events were participated by some students of the La Union High School and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University and about 120 employees from the different government agencies: DFA, DOJ, POEA, POPCOM, TESDA, DOST, BFAR, DOLE, DOST, NEDA, NAPOLCOM, ITRMC, PHILHEALTH, BSP, and others.