Sec Baldoz concludes fruitful visit to Pagadian City

By Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY – As part of the Department of Labor and Employment’s campaign to transform 5 barangays in the region with high incidence of child labor into child labor-free barangays, 20 parents of child laborers were beneficiaries of livelihood package from DOLE to serve as start-up capital in some small scale business enterprise.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz came over on September 6 to personally look into the progress of the program which was launched on May 30, 2012 in Barangay Bulatok, and discussed with stakeholders other activities and mechanisms that may be undertaken  to fully accomplish the success indicators. This was during the Stakeholders’ Forum at Springland Resort Pavilion.  She was accompanied by Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte.

ARD Virginia L. Bonbon gave a brief overview of the program for Child Labor-Free Barangay which carries the theme, “Pagtutulungan, Pagpapalaya sa mga Batang Manggagawa”. It can be recalled that barangay Bulatok was identified as a pilot area due to the noticeable presence of minors engaged in bus-cleaning activities, which is considered as highly at-risk work at the Integrated Bus Terminal.

Parents of child laborers in Barangay Bulatok received livelihood kits like welding machine, carpentry tools, sewing machines, double-burner stoves, and other cooking paraphernalia for them to engage in economic activities to support the needs of their children.

Paul Ryan Teves, barangay kagawad and Social Services Chairman said they are grateful for the opportunity because somehow this will change their economic status. “This is one of the interventions to address child labor in our barangay,” the young kagawad said.   

Criselda Tactacon, a parent – beneficiary received stove, kitchen utensils and other cooking paraphernalia. “Dugay na ko nangandoy nga makabaton aning mga gamit sa pagluto aron makatabang ko sa akong mga anak,” (I have long wanted to have these cooking materials so I could help my children) Tactacon beamed joyfully.

Julito Cantero started working in a construction company when he was 11. Now at 15, he is grateful to the government because his guardian is a recipient of a welding machine. “Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa atong gobyerno, ug kang Sec. Baldoz labaw na kang Presidente Aquino sa tabang nga ilang gihatag,” Julito narrated. (I am so thankful to the government, to Sec Baldoz and President Aquino for the help they have extended.)

OIC Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano was also happy to announce that 6 of the 25 child laborers are now attending mainstream education while the remaining 19 are enrolled in the Alternative Learning Sessions (ALS) with teacher Ms. Dailyn Sabado, holding their classes at the barangay hall.  

Sec. Baldoz also turned over P389,125.80 worth of SPES checks to 78 grantees broken down as follows: Emcotech - 20 grantees @ P111,072.00; ZSMIT  -39 grantees @ P208,260.00; Zamsureco 1 - 10 grantees @ P30,277.80; and Sam’s  Fast Food - 9 grantees @ P 39,516.00.

Meanwhile, in the municipality of Bayog, 4 barangays namely: Depore, Dipili, Pulang Bato and Dimalinao were identified with child laborers engaged in mining exposing them to hazardous situations. These kids also received their school supplies while the parents were organized for a group project which is the reforestation of areas previously identified by TVIRD, a mining firm operating in the area.  (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)