Section 6Sec./Art. 6

Mandatory Programs. - The government shall establish and implement preventive, protective, and rehabilitative programs for victims of the unlawful acts and practices enumerated in Section 3 of this Act. For this purpose, the following agencies are hereby mandated to implement their respective programs:

(a) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) The DFA shall make available its resources and facilities overseas for victims of mail-order marriage and other similar schemes regardless of their manner of entry to the receiving country. It shall provide Filipino victims overseas with free legal assistance and counsel to pursue legal action against offenders, and represent their interests in any criminal investigation or prosecution. The DFA, in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall likewise provide free temporary shelters and other services to Filipino victims of this Act.

(b) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) The DSWD shall implement preventive, protective, and rehabilitative programs for victims. The DSWD, in coordination with the local government units (LGUs), shall likewise provide case management service and develop a system for accreditation among nongovernment organizations (NGOs) for purposes of establishing centers and programs for intervention in various levels of the community. The DSWD shall also provide the following basic services to victims:

(1) Temporary shelter or housing and food;

(2) Psychological support and counseling;

(3) Twenty-four (24)-hour call center for crisis calls and technology-based counseling and referral system;

(4) Assistance in coordination with local law enforcement entities; and

(5) Assistance in coordination with the Department of Justice, among others.

(c) Department of Justice (DOJ) The DOJ shall ensure the prosecution of the persons accused of violating this Act. It shall also establish a mechanism for free legal assistance for victims in coordination with the DSWD, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and other NGOs and volunteer groups.

(d) Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) The PCW shall, in coordination with relevant government agencies, actively participate in the formulating and monitoring of policies addressing the issue of mail-order marriages and other similar practices. It shall likewise advocate for the inclusion of the issue of mail-order marriages and other similar schemes in both local and international advocacy for women issues.

(e) Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) The CFO shall conduct pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos who have contracted marriages with partners from other countries with different cultures, faiths, and religious beliefs. It shall develop a system for accreditation of NGOs that may be mobilized for purposes of conducting pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos in intermarriages. The CFO shall ensure that the counselors contemplated under this Act shall have the minimum qualifications and training required by law.

Further, the CFO shall collect and analyze pertinent data, statistics, and conduct case studies and research on mail-order spouses. It shall come up with essential analysis and papers to guide concerned agencies in formulating policies. It shall likewise assist in the conduct of information campaigns against unlawful acts under this Act and other similar schemes in coordination with LGUs, the Philippine Information Agency, and NGOs.