DOLE gives Bangkang Pangkabuhayan to curb child labor

By Jose Mari Garcia

Thursday 5th of July 2012

CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan, July 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Luzon gave a motorized boat to a young boy who was allegedly working in a fish port in Orani, Bataan to support his family.

DOLE-3 Director Raymundo Agravante and Orani Mayor Benjie Serrano turned over a “Bangkang Pangkabuhayan” or a motorized boat worth P65,000 to the boy’s family in a ceremony at the municipal hall of town.

The boy was recently featured in a documentary program shown in national television. He was allegedly compelled to work in a fish port in Orani to help support his family.

Agravante tasked the DOLE in Bataan to conduct a case study and make a profile on the child and his family.

“I am hopeful that through the DOLE’s livelihood assistance, the boy will no longer have a feeling of sole responsibility for his family and can now focus on his studies,” Agravante said.

Serrano offered his support to DOLE in extending help to his constituents especially to children who have been victims of forced labor in the red tide-hit coastal town.

Orani was one of the eight municipalities in Bataan under a shellfish ban from November 2011 to June this year, affecting the livelihood of fishermen.

The boy’s father expressed his gratitude to DOLE. He said that the boat is a big help to his livelihood to be able to send his child to school.

“Thank you very much to DOLE led by Secretary Baldoz. Rest assured that we will utilize this Bangkang Pangkabuhayan you gave us,” he said.

Agravante added that DOLE Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz personally instructed him to ensure that Bataan and the rest of Central Luzon will meet the department’s goal of attaining a child labor-free Philippines by 2016. (CLJD/JMG-PIA3 Bataan with reports from JMBorja)