MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)–In celebration of the World Day Against Child Labor every June 12, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 Bukidnon Provincial Field Office (Buk PFO) granted P525,000 worth of livelihood starter kits to 35 parents of child laborers (PCLs) at Barangay Casisang Covered Court, here.
DOLE-10 Buk PFO Chief Raul L. Valmores said, “The parents, among the 397 beneficiaries, were given P15,000 worth of individual livelihood projects this year. We will be granting P5.9 Million worth of livelihood aid for PCLs under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) through Accredited Co-Partner Valencia Rural Improvement Multi-Purpose Cooperative.”
Beneficiary Elsa Moreno, an unemployed mother of four, received her hog raising business starter kit. Her 16-year-old son worked as a construction helper and served as the breadwinner for the family’s daily needs.
“As a single parent, I am so thankful today because of DOLE’s financial help. The livelihood grant will really help the schooling of my children, especially my son who will no longer work in construction, which is dangerous for him,” Moreno said.
Moreno’s son was profiled under DOLE’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP), which allows parents, like her to avail of the livelihood program of DOLE, among other need-based interventions.
Moreover, Valmores said, “250 children will also be given school bags through the efforts of our Bukidnon Federation of Family Welfare Committees (BFFWC) under the Project Angel Tree program of the department.”
Valmores said 20 private companies, all members of the BFFWC, served as the benefactors or “angels” to the child laborers and their families. The bag included an intermediate pad paper, alcohol, notebook, pen, and pencil.
BFFWC Chairperson and Del Monte Philippines, Inc. Human Resource Manager Urchielyn C. Basalio said, “All the children present here today: you should strive to finish school and not remain as a child laborer. Education is one of the means for you to reach your dreams and have a brighter future.”
Representatives from DOLE-10, BFFWC, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Barangay Casisang Punong Barangay Bonifacio Valiente, Malaybalay City Public Employment Service Office Manager Lawyer Anna Marie R. Bergado, and the beneficiaries affixed their signatures on the Panatang Makabata Commitment Board in support of the government’s strategies to combat and ultimately eliminate child labor in the Philippines.
DILEEP contributes to poverty reduction and reduces the vulnerability to risks of the working poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers either through emergency employment or promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises.
CLPEP aims to remove children from child labor, particularly in its worst forms. The program contributes to the Philippine Program Against Child Labor of the national government interventions for eliminating or preventing child labor by promoting child-focused actions, rights-based approach, results-based management, gender-responsiveness, cultural sensitivity, sustainable development, children and youth participation, good governance, decent work for all, community development, inter-agency, tripartite and multi-sectoral collaboration.
Project Angel Tree, a component of the DOLE Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program, provides an array of social services that range from food, clothing, educational assistance or school supplies, and even work and training opportunities made available by sponsors or benefactors (‘angels’) to child laborers and their families. It aims to improve the economic and social conditions of child laborers and their families and increase the number of allies and advocates of child labor prevention and elimination.
To know more about DOLE’s programs like Project Angel Tree, Family Welfare Program, CLPEP, and DILEEP, one may check out DOLE Bukidnon’s official Facebook page: @dolebpfo, or visit www.dole.gov.ph. Interested individuals can also go to the nearest DOLE or PESO office. (DOLE-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)
Photo release:
Photo 1
A parent of a child laborer receives her hog raising starter kit project worth P15,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment-Bukidnon Provincial Field Office (BPFO) through Accredited Co-Partner Valencia Rural Improvement Multi-Purpose Cooperative during the World Day Against Child Labor celebration, June 12, 2022 at the Covered Court, Barangay Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. (DOLE Buk PFO)
Photo 2
Department of Labor and Employment-Bukidnon Provincial Field Office (BPFO) Chief Raul L. Valmores (4th from left) raises his hands against child labor, along with partner agencies and stakeholders, during the World Day Against Child Labor celebration, June 12, 2022 at the Covered Court, Barangay Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. (DOLE Buk PFO)
