Osaka, Japan – As part of its Gender And Development (GAD) program and in support of the observance of the 2026 National Anti-Trafficking Awareness Month, the Migrant Workers Office – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO-OWWA) Osaka, with the support of Osaka-Philippine Consulate General (PCG), conducted a 3-hour lecture on the following GAD-related topics: Overview of GAD; Republic Act No. 11313, otherwise known as The Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (a.k.a “The Bawal Bastos Law”); and Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as “The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, as amended, held on 11 July 2026 at the MWO-Osaka located at the 7th Floor FPG Links Midosuji, Awajimachi, Chuo-Ku, Osaka.
The seminar, dubbed as, “Three Laws, One Vision: Equality, Safety, Freedom”, was conducted by Atty. Mannuel M. Dimaano, Labor Attaché and Head of MWO Osaka, and participated by representatives of various Filipino community groups in the Western Japan and all MWO-OWWA personnel.
Consul Christy Fe Conta, of Osaka-PCG, graced the opening program with her presence and delivered the welcome remarks by thanking the participants for taking time out of their busy schedule and emphasizing the importance of knowing the existing Philippine laws for empowerment, protection, and daily life navigation.
In his lecture, Labor Attaché Dimaano discussed and underscored the salient points of the said laws, its key elements, prohibited acts, legal procedures, penalties, legal actions and remedies, as well as the complaint reporting mechanisms available to the victims with the aim of raising awareness on the significance of building safer and more inclusive public spaces by holding the perpetrators of sexual harassment accountable and also eradicating all forms of exploitation. The presentation materials used in the activity included actual law enforcement operation photos and videos, and court decisions of actual cases relative to the subject matter.
The activity culminated in an open forum where participants raised their opinions, concerns, queries and clarifications related to the topics. After the program, MWO OWWA representatives took the opportunity to engage the participants and promote the various services and programs of the Office.
The GAD-related activity is the first seminar to be conducted by MWO-OWWA Osaka in 2026 with the participation of the Filipino Community which received positive feedback from the participants. END
