ILOILO CITY (PIA) — Amid the rising number of child labor cases in the country, the services sector became the dominant employment hub of working children composing at least 49.5 percent of total working children, followed by the agriculture sector with 43.2 percent, and the industry sector with 7.3 percent.
This, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), while in Western Visayas, there were already 12, 880 child laborers profiled by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as of Nov. 15, 2023.
CLPEP focal person of the DOLE 6 Yulee Adan L. Salvarita informs the council members of the rationale of the orientation on the strategic framework against child labor. (PIA Region 6 photo)
Thus, the Regional Council Against Child Labor (RCACL) calls on its member agencies to intensify responses in addressing child labor in Western Visayas with the ultimate goal of achieving zero child laborers in the country by 2028.
Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) focal
person of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 6 Yulee Adan L. Salvarita stressed the importance of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor Strategic Framework 2023-2028 to attain this goal.
Salvarita said the framework serves as a guide in creating a resilient, transformed, and empowered life for child laborers,
CLPEP focal person of the DOLE 6 Yulee Adan L. Salvarita informs the council members of the rationale of the orientation on the strategic framework against child labor. (PIA Region 6 photo)
children at risk of child labor, and their families and communities, leading them towards a sense of self-worth and holistic, sustainable development.
Per the working children situation in the country report of PSA dated July 25, 2023, the proportion of working children aged 15 to 17 years old increased to 4.7 percent in 2022.
Of the given account which reached 1.48 million working children in the country, 58.7 percent were boys, while 41.3 percent were girls.
In connection to this, DOLE 6, as the lead agency of RCACL, assured the public that it continues to direct its efforts in empowering families by providing necessary assistance.
“In DOLE, we have been advancing our efforts to eliminate child labor in all areas, with the current focus
OIC-assistant regional director of the DOLE 6 Melisa S. Navarra shares the initiatives of the agency to address some child labor concerns in Western Visayas. (PIA Region 6 photo)
this 2023 on the provision of livelihood to the parents of child laborers, in which we increased the distribution this year by 20 percent,” said DOLE 6 OIC-assistant regional director Melisa S. Navarra during the council meeting.
She further noted that the agency reinforces this with continuous orientations across all municipalities through their respective local government units on how to qualify as a “Child-Friendly Municipality,” citing the need to have their respective plan of action in ensuring child protection.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, DOLE 6 banners its advocacy against child labor through the CLPEP.
Currently, the agency has been monitoring 10,793 children while 5,433 were already removed from the list due to age and improved living conditions, as among the indicators for child labor. (AAL/AGP/PIA6)
