DAVAO CITY – A total of 39 identified parents of child laborers from Brgy. 23-C, Davao City were each given a financial assistance worth P20,000.00 livelihood package by the Department of Labor and Employment XI through its Davao City Field Office (DCFO) on August 27 and 31, 2021.

DOLE XI has continued to intensify its campaigns and projects to support the government’s drive in the prevention and elimination of child labor in the country. One of its campaigns is the Project Alalay para sa Ginikanan Alang sa Kalambuan sa Kabatan-onan (AGAKKA) which aims to assist the parents or guardians of child laborers to become financially stable.

The beneficiaries of these livelihood projects were based on the result of the DOLE XI-DCFO barangay profiling of key areas indicated to have high existence of child laborers. The awarding of checks was led by Ms. Maria Shiela Espiritusanto, DOLE XI-DCFO Senior Labor and Employment Officer. After receiving the financial assistance, the parents were assisted by DOLE XI-DCFO personnel in purchasing the needed items to start their livelihood undertakings. Most of the beneficiaries chose to put up grocery stores and small merchandising businesses while the others opted for rice retailing, fruit stand, and aluminum glass repair.

Ms. Erlinda G, Mamitag,DOLE XI-DCFO Chief, said, “This livelihood assistance will surely give hope to the families of child laborers. We hope that through this, child laborers will be able to go into formal education and enjoy their time as children. This will also enable their parents to earn income and, thus, wean their children away from child labor.”

DOLE XI OIC-Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy noted that preventing and eliminating child labor is attainable especially with the sustained collaboration among the national government, private organizations, and various sectors. “While we are providing this opportunity to the parents, we are also advocating for change and raising awareness on the condition of our child laborers,” he added.