DOLE BATANGAS STRENGTHENS CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD LABOR THROUGH LIVELIHOOD AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES ASSISTANCE, INFO CARAVAN

As part of the month-long celebration of the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL), the Department of Labor and Employment IV-A - Batangas Provincial Office released livelihood assistance to parents of child laborers and school supplies to select profiled child laborers from various municipalities in Batangas.

Beneficiaries from San Luis, Batangas, with DOLE Integrated Livelihood Focal Person, Ms. Salvacion Kalalo, and Labor and Employment Officer II, Ms. Ricaela Salazar. (Photo by Robert Rodelas, Livelihood Development Specialist)

DOLE Batangas Integrated Livelihood Program Unit, through the leadership of Ms. Salvacion Kalalo, Labor and Employment Officer III, turned over dishwashing making package, kakanin making package, karinderya package,  massage package, meryendahan packages, and vulcanizing packages in San Luis, Batangas, on June 26.

Ms. Salvacion Kalalo orients the beneficiaries as they receive their much-needed livelihood assistance. (Photo by Ricaela Salazar)

Prior the release last June 26, the livelihood and the child labor prevention and elimination program (CLPEP) teams already granted livelihood assistance varying from wet market goods and condiments, parlor kits, sewing package, and fishing tools last  June 19 to six parents of former child laborers and on June 23 for one beneficiary.

Aside from the provision of livelihood packages, as the new school year starts, DOLE Community Facilitators also facilitated the turnover of school supplies to profiled child laborers. The school supplies comprised notebooks, pens, and papers, came from the National University of Lipa with the goal of providing assistance to profiled child laborers now attending school.

A profiled child laborer receives his new set of school supplies. (Photo by Rochelle Manalo)

Meanwhile, aside from these provisions of services and assistance, on June 17, the DOLE Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program focal person, Ms. April Rose Magpantay, spearheaded the lecture on Republic Act No. 9231 with local government unit officers from various municipalities. Director Predelma Tan also shared a message of appreciation to all the local government unit representatives that support the programs of DOLE against child labor.

Director Predelma Tan shared her message emphasizing the significant role of local government units in combating child labor in every barangay in the province.

Moreover, the same topic was also discussed with parents and children beneficiaries of 4Ps in Rosario, Batangas, last June 11.

Ms. Magpantay discussed the salient features of the Republic Act. No. 9231 to parents and children of 4Ps beneficiaries not attending school.

The said activities aimed at disseminating information about the specific nature of the hazardous work with the ultimate goal of combating child labor on the community and family level, providing stronger protection to children.

APRIL ROSE N. MAGPANTAY

LEO III