Child-labor free villages pushed

LABOR Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz recently visited several barangays in Sagada to advocate child-labor free communities.

Baldoz visited Madungo, Banga-an, Tanulong, Pide, Fidelisan, and Aguid villages in Sagada, Mountain Province last week to promote the convergence of services for the protection of children.

“Child labor free Philippines,” the vision of the Philippine Program against Child Labor (PPACL), is one of the priority programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

The PPACL is a network of mutually enabling social partners that works toward the prevention and progressive elimination of child labor through protection, withdrawal, healing and integration of child workers into a caring society.

Local leaders of six barangays in Sagada presented to Dole the Memorandum of Agreement on child labor, anti-illegal recruitment and trafficking- in-person that they had signed.

Baldoz lauded local leaders for their effort, which included the reactivation of the Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children, claiming it would help the National Government’s goal of achieving a child-labor-free Philippines.

Baldoz also commended the Sagada local government headed by Mayor Eduardo Latawan for prioritizing the rights of children for survival, protection, participation, and development through an approved Municipal Ordinance 05-2012 entitled “An Ordinance providing for Child Survival, Development, Protection, and Participation and Establishing a Comprehensive Support System in the municipality of Sagada and for other purposes” or Sagada’s Municipal Code of Children.

The secretary also lead the distribution of educational assistance through project Angel Tree by donating various school supplies to 120 pre-identified children from the six barangays who are at risk of child labor.

She also awarded livelihood assistance, through the Kabuhayan para sa mga Magulang ng Batang Manggagawa project, to each of the parents of the children beneficiaries which included start-up fund for meat, soya, peanut, and coffee processing; and souvenir shop, among others, which cost around P1.52 million.

She emphasized the assistance are intended to prevent children from becoming child laborers and meant to transform the children, their families, and the community towards a sense of self-worth, empowerment, and development.

“These activities of Dole are all towards achieving the vision of PPACL,” she said.

The secretary also awarded P600, 412.50 to Mabisil, Insigidan, Tibonga, Sadsad organizations and the Association of Southern Sagada Episcopalians for engaging in cassava processing and organic vegetable and strawberry production respectively. The said amount will benefit 190 individuals. –Sun Star