Child Labor in CALABARZON area

Group Picture

June 8, 2011 at Splash Mountain Resort, Los Banos, Laguna a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) signing for intensified sustained and unified implementation of Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) has been held. Speakers were Eduardo R. Nicolas III (Regional Governor in Region IV from Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry),  Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Vice Chairperson from the Regional Tripartite Peace Council Emmanuel Martinez, Regional Director Philippine national Police 4A Police Superintendent Attorney Gil C. Meneses and Philippine Information Agency Regional Director Norito Cabotaje.

From the Factsheet under Working Children in CALABARZON are the following statistics to show that in 2009, the number of working children in the region reached 135 thousand. The figure is lower compared to 140 thousand in 2008. The trend is the number of working children is generally increasing. The number of working children in the region is 6.1 percent of the total for the country in 2009. This is a proof that with advocacy and joined forces from the government agency and Private sector, Illegal hiring or minors if not totally eliminated but decreasing.

Number of Working Children 5-17 Years Old by Age Group (In Thousands)

Age Group                   2008                2009

Total                            140                  135

5-9                               2                      1

10-14                           31                    28

150-17                         108                  106

Philippine Chambers of Commerce Regional Governor Ed Nicolas III, Grace Bondad- Nicolas, Philippine Information Agency Norie Sumilang and PNP Chief Head in CALABARZON

 

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Director Norito Cabotaje quoted the following from famous people like  Charles Darwin “Pagbabago ng buhay, ang nagtatagumpay na naghahangad na mabago ang buhay ay hindi ang malalakas, hindi rin ang matatalino kundi ang mga responsible.”

“Kaisipan ni Dr. Jose Rizal:  Ang buhay natin ay sandali lamang, aanhin natin ang ating buhay kung di natin gagawin sa isang dakilang layunin o gawain.”

Atty. Gil C. Meneses said that In order to minimized the Child Labor in the region, there must be a Political Will to the government officials and as the child rights advocate. He said that that Womens

Another speaker from DSWD quoted the following:

“Tulong tulong at sama sama at maiayos ang protocol and guidelines for no overlapping, no competition but nag aaugment at nagtutulong tulong to achieve the advocacy.

We need to take care of the future, future ang mga bata, if pangalan ng bata ay today ay sya ang ating future at ihanda ang ating mga future generation.”

The objective of the event is to strengthen the bond between the government sector and private sector in establishing the fight to eliminate child labor. 16 years old Rafael from Cavite, a former child laborer talks about his experienced. He thanked DOLE for the new life and hope together with San Miguel Corporation. He was a “Nangengete” or nagkakarga ng batya ng isda sa piyer in exchanged of money or a kilo of fishes to sell or to eat. He is encouraging agencies to help the children to finish school for better future.

Mr. Eduardo Nicolas from Toyota Motor Philippines in Sta. Rosa laguna and the Regional Governor under Reion IV from Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that “ Di maiiwasan ang child labor sa CALABARZON upang maghanapbuhay sa halip na nag aaral. One out of six is a child laborer. Stop Child Labor dapat now na!.”