EU delegates join the CLEAR CAR Project Launch and stakeholder dialogue in Baguio City on Jan. 28, 2025
BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The European Union (EU) has expressed its support to the various programs of the Philippine government and its partner civil society organizations (CSOs) in eliminating child labor in the country.
EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro, head of the union’s delegation, said that the collective West and its member states have been very active in supporting the works of CSOs especially in protecting the rights of children.
“Like the Philippines, the European Union together with its member states is very much committed to protection and promotion of human rights across the globe, including every child’s right to live free from discrimination and intimidation,” Santoro said.
He said that based on global estimates, 160 million children are involved in child labor and the figure has been increasing in the last 10 years.
Among the root causes of child labor are poverty, inequality, lack of access to education and limited social protection offered to children, including promoting decent work for adults worldwide, Santoro said.
To eradicate the practice of child labor, the EU is involved in several projects and programs across the globe including the CLEAR CAR Project (Child Labor-Effective Awareness and Response in Cordillera Administrative Region) that aims to have stakeholders implement responsive policies, programs and approaches to address child labor.
Santoro said that the CLEAR CAR Project aims to help the Philippines with what is important, which means helping with financial resources and building expertise.
The three-year project co-funded by the EU is being implemented by the World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. (WVDF) and Lingap Pangkabataan, Inc. with World Vision Canada and World Vision Ireland.
“I’d like to express the common hope with colleagues here that all of these will continue contributing, making a very positive impact on the lives and the welfare of the Cordillera’s children,” he Santoro said.
At least 18 ambassadors from the member states of the EU visited Baguio City from January 27 to 29 for the European Union-Green Economy Program in the country. (DEG-PIA CAR)
