DOLE intensifies drive to attain child-labor free Philippines

BAGUIO CITY, June 19 (PIA) – – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is intensifying its efforts towards achieving a Child-free Philippines.

DOLE Assistant Regional Director -Officer-In-Charge Ted Delson informed during the first meeting of the Regional Child Labor Committee (RCLC-CAR) today that the DOLE, being the lead government agency in the implementation of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) intensify its efforts with its partner agencies to respond to President Benigno S Aquino III’s commitment to fight child labor.

He said this is in line with the strategic direction to institutionalize strategic partnership and intensify actions at all levels in the campaign against child labor and trafficking.

Delson said one of the concerns which the committee would be looking into is the cultural differences. It is important he said to distinguish child labor from ‘child work’ so the committee can work better with local communities.

During the meeting, the member agencies presented their respective programs and accomplishments on the child labor and trafficking program.

DOLE also presented the Child Labor Prevention &Elimination Program Action Plan for 2011.

The team will again meet next month to come up with an action plan to further enhance the members’ capabilities and linkages relative to the program implementation.

The members of the RCLC include the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government , Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency, National Statistics Office, Shontoug Foundation, Saint Louis Sunflower Children Center, and Child and Family Service Philippines Inc.(CFSPI). *(JDP/MC-PIA CAR)