In a bid to raise the protection and safety of minors entering the port’s vicinity, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Iloilo Fish Port Complex (PFDA-IFPC) met with representatives from the Iloilo City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) and Barangay Officials on June 6, 2023, at the PFDA-IFPC Conference Hall.

The PFDA-IFPC management invited the CSWDO and captains of nearby barangays to discuss and review the port’s policy on properly handling and managing minors entering the port premises.

The port has set various guidelines and protocols prohibiting the entry of minors inside the port for their safety and protection, especially during port operations and ongoing renovations of port facilities.

During the meeting, the CSWDO showed full support of this intervention and recommended that the management and security of PFDA-IFPC must provide the profile and database of the minors who entered the port and turn them over to Maritime Police together with a copy of the blotter reports and pictures as evidence. After that, the port must call the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) to coordinate with social workers to take charge of the minors caught.

As part of the agreement, the Iloilo City and Molo CSWDO, PFDA-IFPC personnel, and other social work services representatives scheduled an on-the-spot inspection within the port vicinity on June 8, 2023.

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with report and photos from PFDA-IFPC)