The Regional Council Against Child Labor-Cordillera (RCACL-CAR) is eyeing more intervention programs and convergence activities to prevent and eliminate child labor in the provinces and cities of the region.
The Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera reconvened the RCACL-CAR to recalibrate thrusts and strengthen collaboration against child labor. Members discussed statistics, updates, programs, and interventions on child labor in the Cordillera.
“Through the help of your agencies, we will be able to help the children in various capacities,” said DOLE-CAR Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program focal person Patrick Rillorta.
Rillorta said the Department of Health can provide medicines for kids while the Philippine Statistics Authority can monitor areas where there are child laborers.
Programs including the Shield Against Child Labor program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Project Angel Tree, and the Livelihood for Parents of Child Laborers, were presented. These interventions have been identified as possible areas for member agencies and organizations to converge efforts against child labor.
DOLE-CAR Technical Support and Services Division Chief George Lubin Jr. reported child labor cases in the Cordillera significantly decreased from around 41,000 cases in 2011 to 18,000 in 2021. He said with this positive outcome, the council continues to work together to lower the number of child laborers in the region.
“We committed to reduce the cases of child laborers by 30 percent. Commitment natin ‘yun sa Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2022. Ngayon, the focus is into monitoring since we graduated from profiling, from the need’s assessment, and referral. We will be focusing on the profiled child laborers last year,” Lubin said. – Jam Malingan
April 27, 2024
