BATANGAS CITY (PIA) — At least 100 child laborers and their families benefited from the Information and Service Caravan organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Calabarzon on February 20 at the Rosario Cultural and Sports Center in Batangas.
The event gathered various government agencies to provide essential services, including PhilSys registration, health insurance enrollment, medical and dental checkups, livelihood assistance, and skills training.
As part of DOLE Calabarzon’s Project Angel TREE program, the profiled child laborers and their families also received livelihood packages to support their daily needs. They were also provided with food packs, dental kits, and school supplies.
According to DOLE Calabarzon, the caravan aimed to raise awareness of the government’s initiatives to eliminate child labor in the region.
“We aim to promote a Child Labor-Free Philippines, as outlined in the Philippine Program Against Child Labor. Our advocacy for child labor elimination continues so that we can fully eradicate it in the country,” said Regional Director Erwin Aquino.
Aquino added that the caravan coincided with the first anniversary of International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 190, which seeks to eliminate all forms of violence in the workplace.
Citing the importance of child labor prevention and elimination efforts, Aquino expressed gratitude to partner agencies for their active participation in the program.
“We sincerely thank all the agencies that supported and joined the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program. Your collaboration demonstrates strong unity and cooperation in improving the lives of children,” he added.
The child laborers also participated in a skills demonstration conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Batangas, featuring bread and pastry production as well as hydroponic farming techniques.
As part of the caravan, DOLE Batangas also conducted an orientation on the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP).
The discussion covered how work involving children aged 17 and below can be classified as child labor, the worst forms of child labor, and exceptions that allow minors to work, such as in modeling and acting.
John Kevin, one of the profiled child laborers, expressed his gratitude to DOLE Calabarzon for the services and livelihood assistance provided to him and his family, emphasizing that it would be a significant help in improving their lives.
A pledge of commitment to implement ILO Convention No. 190 was also signed by partner agencies, followed by a recognition ceremony for program collaborators. (BDC, PIA Batangas)