The DOLE XI Davao del Norte Field Office under the leadership of Ms. Milagros V. Gutierrez  conducted an advocacy session on May 23, 2012 at Eagle’s Hotel, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.  This activity was an off shoot of the request from the City Social Welfare and Development Office to orient the stall owners and civil security officers and other stakeholders of the Tagum City Public Market on the Philippine Program Against Child Labor and Republic Act 9231.

More than 40 participants attended the advocacy session. Mr. Henry O. Montilla acted as the  resource person. He discussed the salient features of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor and RA 9231. He also stressed the varied strategies on how a barangay can be a child –labor free one.

Ms. Gutierrez in her message   urged the p articipants to support the program and collaborate with DOLE XI Field Office in case there are child labor complaints and reports. According to her, there is a need to orient the parents on the program and organize them if necessary so they can avail of the livelihood opportunities of  DOLE under the KaSAMA Program.

Ms. Nora Lupiba, the CSWDO Head, said that  Mayor Rey Uy is very supportive of the program. As a historical background, Tagum City has been an active partner of DOLE in the implementation of the program since 1992 when it was still BREAKING GROUND FOR COMMUNITY ACTION ON CHILD LABOR.

NOTE: Two more advocacy sessions have been lined-up to cover other public markets in Davao del Norte.