Child labor in Ormoc-Kananga sugar district

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Feb 14 (PIA) — The sugar planters in the Ormoc-Kananga Sugar District expressed their commitment to end child labor practice in the sugar industry.  

OIC regional director Exequiel Sarcauga and  Virgilio Doroja Jr., information officer designate of DOLE-8 said that in the Resolution passed by members of the Ormoc–Kananga Mill District Development Council Foundation, Inc., it resolved to provide assistance in the implementation of Republic Act No. 9231 or the Anti-Child Labor Law.

MDDCFI is a grass root level organization in Ormoc-Kananga milling district created in response to Sugar Regulatory Administration Order No. 3-91.  Composed of representatives from sugarcane planters association or cooperative, sugar mill, PHILSURIN, and the SRA, the council serves as channel in addressing all issues in the pertaining to sugarcane production.

Atty. Roy Bernard C. Fiel, chairman of the MDDCFI, said that since sugar industry is perceived to be a possible area where children may be employed, the MDDCFI desires to assist in the implementation of the law by imposing sanctions on erring sugarcane farmers within the district.

He added that the MDCCI also resolved to suspend its services and assistance to sugarcane farmers in the Ormoc-Kananga Mill District if found guilty of violating RA 9231.

The concrete action taken by the sugar planters came after the Department of Labor and Employment in the region conducted Advocacy/Orientation on the anti-child labor law before the members of the District Tripartite Council, and the members of the MDDCFI during its 9th MDDCFI Seminar last December 2011.

Sarcauga welcomed this development and expressed optimism that with the strong partnership among the planters group, child labor in the sugar industry may be eliminated thus, achieving the government’s vision of a Child Labor-Free Philippines.

“We would like to commend the MDDCFI for taking a bold step to address child labor in the sugar industry, but our work does not stop there, we need stronger action and shared commitment if we want to remove children from hazardous forms of employment.

Sarcauga explained that DOLE has been vigorously implementing the anti-child labor law through sustained advocacy, surveillance and rescue operations, livelihood interventions, all of which are aimed at prevention and elimination of child labor. (PIA 8)