TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Region 2 is set to give assistance to 140 child laborers in Cagayan Valley region in its #BatangMalaya program.
As part of the observance of the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, 2023, in conjunction with the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day at SM City Tuguegarao, Laura Diciano, chief of the Technical Services Support Division, said that part of the activities to be conducted will be the outreach activities for some identified child laborers in the region.
In Tuguegarao City, she said that 57 identified child laborers and their parents will be the beneficiaries of a medical and dental mission, immersion, storytelling and fun play activity through provision of books and school supplies which will be provided by partner agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Education.
She also said that the JCI Tuguegarao Ybanag and SM City Tuguegarao will also conduct film viewing, hair cutting, massage, manicure and pedicure, and feeding and gift giving activities.
“The same activity will also be conducted in Cordon Isabela, Qurino Province and in Nueva Vizcaya,” Diciano stated.
Labor Regional Director Jesus Elpidio Atal, Jr., said that there were more or less 4, 000 profiled child laborers in the region last year who are mostly working in the agriculture sector.
“Child labor is defined as letting the children or those of minor ages to work in manner that exploits them or harms them physically, emotionally, morally, or hamper their access to education. These are children 18 years of age and below,” Atal stated.
However, he clarified that those ages 15 to 18 may be allowed to work provided that they are being supervised by their parents while others below 15 may be allowed when they work directly under the sole responsibility of their parents or legal guardian and where only members of their family are employed; or where a child’s employment or participation in public entertainment or information is essential. (JKC/OTB/PIA Region 2)