“We need the help of the general public in curbing illegal recruitment. We also need the help of the media. We must expose the activities of illegal recruiters”, thus stated by Philippine Oversees Employment Administration (POEA), Anti-Recruitment Branch Director Sherilyn Malonzo during the conduct of Anti-Illegal Recruitment (AIR), Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Child Labor campaign held recently in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

Participants of the said activity were officials and residents of Nunungan town particularly municipal and barangay officials including Sangguniang Kabataan members.
POEA officials said two cases of illegal recruitment were recorded involving two minors who are residents of Nunungan.

“ We believe that there are lots of unrecorded cases possibly happened in the areas of Iligan and Lanao del Norte. Thus we are conducting this activity here in your province and fortunately mga residents ng Nunungan ang inuuna namin, pumunta talaga kami para sa inyo. Sa two minor cases it doesn’t mean na may problema gusto lang namin to educate the people”, said Hussein Macarambon – National Project Coordinator on Integrated Programme on Fair Recruitment.

Mayor Mamay emphasized that for how many years Nununganians have been deprived of opportunities that’s why there are residents amenable to work abroad but illegally recruited.

“I’ve been working as Mayor of Nunungan for more than two years. I knew the problems of my people that emanated from previous years. I want to address these problems particularly the high rate of unemployment through developing local potentials of Nunungan. I am now focusing on tourism development and other options so that I could help alleviate the living standard of my people particularly my beloved Nununganians”, Mayor Mamay emphasized during interview.