by Alma L. Tingcang
PAGADIAN CITY, May 31 (PIA) - To cap the celebration of the 110th
Labor Month, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched its
campaign for Child-Labor Free barangays in the city yesterday, May 30 at
Barangay Bulatoc.
With the theme, “Pagtutulungan,
Pagpapalaya sa mga Batang Manggagawa,”
DOLE Assistant Regional Director
Virginia L. Bonbon said the battle for the elimination and prevention of child
labor is going down to the grassroots level.
A symbolic turn-over of work implements/tools
of the trade was done in Bulatoc, considered to have a high incidence of
children at risk of becoming child laborers because of its proximity to the
Integrated Bus Terminal, in exchange for an educational package containing backpacks/bags,
notebooks, drawing books, ballpens, pencils, pencil case, crayons, writing
pads, sharpener, eraser and other school supplies.
DOLE has bolstered its implementation
of the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) and targets 80
barangays with high incidence of child labor to be transformed into child
labor-free barangays this year.
ARD Bonbon said DOLE Secretary
Rosalinda D. Baldoz has directed all regional directors to reactivate the
Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPCs) in their areas of jurisdiction
to assist them in the task.
“The campaign aims to encourage, to influence
change, identify the roles and solicit commitment of stakeholders; local government units particularly the
barangay concerned, national government agencies, non-government organizations,
private sector and parents of child laborers to help in ensuring that children are
enjoying their rights and not engaged in child labor,” Mayor Samuel S. Co, ably
represented by Dr. Priscilla M. Fernandez, Chairperson of the City Tourism Council in his message said.
At the end of the activity, barangay
officials led by Paul Ryan Teves signed
a commitment to attain a child-labor free barangay by fully committing themselves
to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, protect them from all forms of
abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination and other conditions detrimental
to their development.
Also present were the PIA Regional
Director Noemi B. Edaga, Education Supervisors Vivian B. Dacula and Dr.
Remedios Bulahan of DepEd City Division, DOLE intermediaries; Guidance
Counselors Network (GCNet) ZamPen Region President Ermah Sheila L. Roble, GCNet
Pagadian City Chairperson Mary Jane B. Omandam, Tripartite Industrial Peace
Council (TIPC) Vice Chairman Levi E.
Cabatcha, Occupational Health & Safety Committee (OHSC) President Engr.
Rodrigo T. Templado, media partners and other stakeholders. (ALT-PIA9/Zambo
Sur)