Members of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor-CAR show support in the prevention and elimination of child labor in the country with a vision of a child labor-free Philippines.
BAGUIO CITY(PIA) –The Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera, its partner line agencies, and non-government organizations signed a pledge of commitment to foster the implementation of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor(PPACL) and the International Labor Organization Convention No. 190.
The PPACL is the national program for the prevention and elimination of child labor in the country with a vision of a child labor-free Philippines. This aims to transform the lives of existing child laborers, their families, and communities towards their sense of self-worth, empowerment, and development. It also works towards the prevention and progressive elimination of child labor through protection, withdrawal, healing, and reintegration of child workers into a caring society.
DOLE-CAR Regional Director Imelda Romanillos emphasized the importance of the commitments of line agencies and other stakeholders in efforts to end child labor during the commitment signing on February 20, 2025 in Barangay Lualhati, Baguio City.
“Very important po ‘yung commitment ni’yo na maging kasama po namin para po sa pag-undertake ng activities natin to eliminate, not only eliminate kung hindi man talaga kayang mawala, at least mabawasan ang ating mga batang manggagawa, not only in CAR but nationwide,” said Romanillos.
“Ang aking lang pong paki-usap o request lalo na po sa mga members ng CAR PPACL na sana po ay let us join hands together in this particular undertaking sa programang ito para po sa ating kabataan na laging sinasabi ni Gat. Rizal ay pag-asa o sila ang may hawak ng future ng ating bansa,” she added.
The PPACL is spearheaded by DOLE with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice , Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and the National Economic and Development Authority as partners.
Other members are the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Council for the Welfare of Children, National Youth Commission, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Philippine Statistics Authority, Philippine National Police, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Department of Education, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Information Agency and various local government units.
The Alliance of Workers in the Informal Economy/Sector, World Vision, and the International Labor Organization are the sectoral partners in this endeavor.(JDP/ CVBT with Arnmari Christine Dela Cruz- PIA- SLU Intern)
