195  Child Laborers in Kibuaya, Davao del Sur  receive new bags, supplies at the opening of the school year

June 10, 2013–about 195 bags were given to the child laborers in Barangay Kibuaya in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

The Davao del Sur Field Office of DOLE XI with its Angel Tree Project partner,  the Nakayama Corporation Inc. distributed 130 bags and school supplies. Akihiro Ushimaro, Executive Vice President of Nakayama, extended their corporation’s support in eliminating child labor especially in the countryside where children, at tender age, are already hired to do heavy farm work.

“Children should be in school. Children should learn. Parents should send their child to school. It is the parents who should work.” said the Nakayama EVP.

The Kibuaya ABK2 Initiative Consumer Parents Association (KAICOPA) recipient of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program in 2012 was able to counterpart 65 bags and school supplies. Restina Lanticse, member of the board, shared that they were able to counterpart from the 30% patronage refund. In 2012, KAICOPA, whose members are the 270 parents of child laborers, was awarded with a livelihood project that amounted to P389,500.00 which was used in the operation of a Barangay Bagsakan Consumer Store.

Because of the continuation of the support for the sustainability of the Child Labor program in Barangay Kibuya, RD Joffrey Suyao thanked Nakayama Technolgy Corp. and also lauded KAICOPA for their contribution in Project Angel Tree.

He added, “The Department has intensified its campaign to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. In order to do this we need the help of the community in assuring that no children shall be hired to do intensive labor. Today, DOLE sets out to help sustain the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer thru the HELP ME Convergence Program. Through these efforts we are hopeful that no more children shall be exposed to hazardous and dangerous working conditions.”

Ret. Gen. Franco Magno Calida, Mayor of Hagonoy; Barangay Captain Virginia Tobiano; MSWDO Teresita Tapere; ChildFund and Department of Education Representatives were also present to support the activity.

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