United Against Exploitation: Lived Experiences of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Members

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the work experiences of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) members in Central Visayas Region, Philippines. Specifically, the study seeks answers to the following questions: experiences of the informants in the performance of their functions, cope with the challenges encountered in the performance of their functions, and aspirations of the informants to improve the performance. The researcher adopted transcendental phenomenology which is based on principles identified by Husserl (1931) and was translated into a qualitative method by Moustakas (1994). The study was conducted in the Central Visayas Region of the Philippines which comprises two provinces – Bohol, Cebu, and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City. The study engaged a total of twelve (12) informants drawn from key agencies and organizations involved in anti-trafficking efforts. Specifically, two (2) representatives were selected from the Department of Justice (DOJ), two (2) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), four (4) from the Philippine National Police (PNP), two (2) from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking (MIATFAT), and two (2) from Bidlisiw Foundation, an non-government organization (NGO), closely collaborating with IACAT. Informants were chosen through purposive sampling, with the primary criterion being at least three (3) years of active participation in anti-trafficking operations or initiatives. Each of the twelve participants was interviewed individually to capture their unique perspectives and experiences. Results revealed that on the experiences of the informants in the performance of their functions, the themes generated were: For Positive Experience: Multifaceted Roles and Adaptive Capacity, Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Practice, Justice and Purpose as Motivational Drivers, Collaborative Networks as Enablers and For Negative Experience: Operational Strain and Systemic Barriers, Emotional Toll and Wellness Gaps. For coping with the challenges encountered in the performance of their functions, the following themes emerged are: Personal Resilience and Self-Management, Collective Strength through Peer Support and Relational Trust, Strengthen Organizational Culture and Professional Sustainability, Navigating Structural and Resource Efforts. For aspirations of the informants to improve the performance, themes developed are: Strengthening the Human Infrastructure, Leadership, Coordination and Collaborative Ecosystem, Prevention, Innovation and Public Engagement. Recommendations urge IACAT and member agencies to adopt context-sensitive reforms that align operational realities with survivor empowerment.