QUEZON CITY, (PIA)--Some fifty former child laborers profiled in Manila  received education and hygiene kits during the “Araw ng Kalayaan Para sa #BatangMalaya Project Angel Tree – Gift Giving Activity” on June 12, 2023, at the Dakota Playground, Quirino Avenue corner Asuncion St., Malate, Manila.

The activity was in line with the observance of the World Day Against Child Labor, aside from the 125th Independence Day celebaration.

The activity was conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) through its Manila Field Office (MFO) in collaboration with various offices of the City Government of Manila and several companies and labor organizations under the Manila Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (Manila TIPC) and the Education Industry Tripartite Council (Education ITC).

In his message during the occasion, Atty. Joel P. Petaca, OIC-Director II of DOLE-NCR Manila Field Office emphasized the importance of unity and the role of the community in shaping a child’s future.

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat ng naririto na makiisa at magtulong-tulong upang magabayan natin ang lahat ng mga bata para sila ay hindi maligaw ng landas, lumaki silang maayos at responsableng mamamayan ng bansang Pilipinas,” Atty. Petaca said.

For his part,  Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto emphasized the importance of hope and hard work to achieve one’s dreams and thanked DOLE for organizing the event, including the benefactors for their support to the profiled child laborers in Manila.

Each beneficiary received education kits consisting of bags with school supplies such as notepads, writing and coloring tools, art materials, envelopes, and hygiene kits containing oral care products, soaps, and towels.

Beneficiaries also gained new knowledge and experience through a Basic Orientation on Traffic Rules conducted by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and a free tour of the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden. Likewise, they also witnessed a puppet show and storytelling led by the Manila City Library.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chair for the Labor Sector Mr. Benedicto Marasigan III of the Manila TIPC also delivered his message to the beneficiaries.

“Mapalad po tayo dahil nagsama-sama ang government, private sector, labor unions para makapaghatid o madeliver ang service sa inyo. ‘Wag po tayong tumigil mangarap pero dapat ay sasamahan natin ito ng aksyon,” he said.

Also in attendance during the activity were Mr. Fernan B. Bermejo, Executive Assistant to the Mayor on Labor and Employment, some staff of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) – City of Manila, and the labor and management sector representatives of companies and organizations under the Manila TIPC and Education ITC.

Benefactors under the Manila TIPC Management Sector include Aloha Hotel / MOCA Inc., ICTSI Anchorage, Maybank Philippines, Inc., Oceanic Container Lines, TDG Group, TDG Logistics and Shipping Corporation, Transcontainer (TCL) Philippines, Inc., Transnational Logistics Inc., NCT Transnational Corporation, International Container Terminal Services Inc., Manila Harbor Center, MD Express Manila Inc., MD Brokerage Corp., Yakult Philippines, The One Properties, Suy Sing Commercial, and United Bearing Industrial Corporation.

For the Labor Sector of Manila TIPC, the benefactors consist of Aloha Hotel Employees Union, Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Suy Sing Commercial, Globe Telecom Employees Union, Manila Harbor Center Ports Services Inc. Labor Union, Union Motors Sales Corporation Employees Association, and Maybank Employees Labor Union.

St. Paul University, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, and Trinity University of Asia were among the education institutions affiliated with the Education ITC Management Sector that provided sponsorship for the event. The University of the East (UE) Employees Union, Arellano University Faculty Organization, De La Salle University Employees Association, and the Lyceum of the Philippines University Faculty Organization, were among the Education ITC Labor Sector that also extended their support.

Aside from the Labor and Management Sectors of the Education ITC and the Manila TIPC, DIVINALaw provided each beneficiary with 5 kilograms of rice. Moreover, the Young Workers Development Division (YWDD) of the DOLE Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) extended their support through the provision of notepads for the beneficiaries.

The Project Angel Tree is a component of the DOLE Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) that aims to improve the economic and social conditions of child laborers and their families through the provision of an array of services. (dole-ncr/pia-ncr)