CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Children must be protected from all kinds of abuse and exploitation since they are among the most vulnerable members of society, said Barangay Captain Marlo Tabac, who emphasized, “It is very important because they are the future of our country and because we want to build a community that is happy, healthy, and safe for all.”

Tabac, from Gusa, was one of the participants of a 3-day event dubbed, Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) Orientation on Functionality, Child Protection Law, and Referral Mechanism on February 26–29, in Cagayan de Oro City. 

To raise awareness among BCPCs about child rights and current issues regarding the worst forms of child labor (WFCL), such as online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and violations of acceptable conditions of work (ACW), the World Vision Development Foundation, Inc.-Project Against Child Exploitation (ACE) organized the event in collaboration with the City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC), Liga ng mga Barangay of Cagayan de Oro City. 

Tabac is currently the Vice Chairman of the Liga ng mga Barangay in CDO. He has actively participated in various Project ACE activities since its implementation in 2020. Barangay Gusa was one of the 24 barangays that were recognized during the Most Child-Friendly Barangays Awarding Ceremony, which was conducted on February 26. World Vision’s Project ACE also received recognition for its unwavering support for the LGU in promoting child protection in the city. 

With the newly elected officials taking over at the barangay level, discussions on child labor, the CDO child protection framework, the local development plan for children, and the barangay budget process were presented on the first day. 

“Investing in education, health, and child protection is the best investment for a local government unit. Barangay officials must invest in education, health, and child protection. Children who are protected and taken care of will be responsible citizens of a community in the future. If they were protected at a young age, you’ll see them as community leaders and successful professionals,” Tabac emphasized. 

The State of the Children’s Report presented by CSWD showed that despite preventive efforts, eight cases related to OSAEC were reported. In addition, the CDO City Child Laborer Situationer of 2022 stated that 3,295 were profiled for the fiscal year 2022, and they were referred to different government agencies for appropriate services. 

These showed that while efforts and initiatives have been made, there is still a long way to go to eliminate child labor and strengthen child protection in the city. 

Participants were from the local government unit composed of barangay captains, BCPC focal persons, Sangguniang Kabataan Federations, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and CCPC staff, among many others. 

Tabac hopes that other barangay officials will also serve the best interests of its people. “Put your heart into public service, and remember that public service is not a business but an opportunity for you to serve the less fortunate people in your community, primarily the children. We must serve our children in the best way possible,” he said. 

Project ACE is currently working in three barangays in CDO: Barangay Puntod, Gusa, and Cugman. Since its implementation, the project has reached not only the three barangays but all 80 of them. On February 24, 2023, it organized a child labor forum for all barangay leaders to involve them in its advocacy against WFCL. 

The United States Department of Labor is providing funding under cooperative agreement number IL 34007-19-75-K. All of the total costs of the project in the Philippines are financed with United States Department of Labor funds. (World Vision/PIA-10)