DOLE accepts online filing of working child permit applications

by Leslie Ann Aquino, Manila Bulletin, 6 Jul 2020

The Department of Labor and Employment National Capital Region said all applications for issuance of Working Child Permit (WCP) shall be submitted online.

DOLE-NCR Regional Director Sarah Mirasol said applications for WCP shall be submitted online through their e-filing services at https//ncr.dole.gov.ph or through https://tinyurl.com/application-for-wcp.

Earlier, the DOLE issued Labor Advisory No. 23-2020, which states that a child below 15 years of age may be allowed to participate in public entertainment or information during the community quarantine period provided that the child’s performance of the assigned task, such as photo shoot or audio-video recording, shall be done in the child’s home.

According to DOLE, all applications must be filed five days before the actual shoot or activity in order to give their personnel sufficient time to assess said applications.

She said the notice of approval of the application shall be sent through the applicant’s email address and or by calling or messaging the applicant.

“Said notice shall include the schedule for claiming the WCP certificate and payment thereof which shall be done personally by the parent, guardian or employer,” said Mirasol.

She added that in view of their transition to online filing, a Certificate of Engagement with control docket shall be issued in lieu of the WCP card.

In a letter addressed to its Field Office Directors in Metro Manila, Mirasol also said a representative of their Office must be given access to the actual activity or shoot through live video coverage in order to monitor compliance with health standards.

“This Office may, when it deems appropriate, conduct actual monitoring of the event or activity. For this purpose, the applicant shall provide the location map of the venue where the shoot or activity will be undertaken,” she said.

The labor official said the employer is also required to submit video footage and photos of the same to the concerned Field Office within two days after the shoot or activity.

Mirasol said a validation interview with the child’s parent or guardian and employer, as well as the conduct of orientation on the salient features of R.A. 9231 or “The Anti-Child Labor Law” shall also be scheduled by the concerned Field Office.

“(This) may be done online via zoom, google meet or other similar online platforms. The schedule shall be sent to the e-mail address and or by phone call or messaging to the contacts provided in the application,” she said.

The DOLE also reiterated that the provisions of Advisory 23 shall be strictly observed and implemented to ensure the safety and welfare of child actors or performers especially Section 2 which provides that only Work At Home Arrangement shall be allowed and only those living in the same house with the child shall be allowed to personally interact with the child actor/s or performer/s and shall facilitate the actual activity.

This includes the disinfection of any equipment, costume, or the like before being permitted to be handed to the child actor/s or performer/s.

If the participation of a director or a cameraman is necessary, DOLE said it may be allowed provided the activity venue space can sufficiently accommodate additional persons without compromising the health protocols on physical distancing.

“Provided further that subject to the venue space, only a maximum of two persons will be allowed to personally be present in the shoot provided also that they wear appropriate protective equipment (PPEs) and maintain a physical distance as prescribed by the health protocols. Moreover, the Field Office concerned must be informed on the details at the time of application,” said Mirasol.

“Non-compliance with the provision of this Advisory and/or violations committed prior or during the actual shoot or activity shall give our representative the authority to temporarily suspend the activity, until the non-complied provisions or violations are duly corrected,” she added.