MANILA, Philippines – The appointment of a new female labor chief to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s cabinet hopes to boost the campaign against human trafficking.

“The new labor secretary is well-versed in both overseas and local employment and a fine addition to the roster of career officials tapped to serve as DoLE chiefs,” Susan Ople, president of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, said in a statement.

Ople was referring to Rosalinda Baldoz whom Aquino named as secretary to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

In an interview with TV Patrol, Baldoz said the President-elect does not know her personally.

“He doesn't know me but considering that I am a career executive officer in long service he also relies on the expertise and competence that I have acquired in the job,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz is a former administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
 
Aside from Baldoz, Aquino also named Leila De Lima and Corazon “Dinky” Soliman to the justice and social welfare departments, respectively.

Ople hopes that anti-human trafficking campaign will improve with the 3 women leading the posts.

“The new labor chief must step up the government's campaign against online recruitment scams that continues to draw in victims especially jobseekers in the provinces,” Ople said.

She added that the incoming labor secretary will have to show a firm hand against unscrupulous employers and manpower agencies that use labor contracts to exploit workers.

She also stressed the need for Congress to allocate funds so that a more credible and extensive campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking can be launched.