First ever Regional Anti-Child Labor Summit held

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Anti-child labor advocates gathered at the first ever Regional Anti-Child Labor Summit at the Manna Mall in this city on December 17, benefitting 50 children and their parents or guardians.

The event, which is an initiative of the Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Office I, comprised of gift-giving activity,“salo-salo” and learning sessions as part of the agency’s prevention strategies against the worst forms of child labor.

DOLE-RO I Regional Director Henry John Jalbuena said the activities aimed to raise the awareness of the parents and their children on the ill effects of child labor and eventually engage them as partners in the government’s campaign against the problem.

“Changing human behavior towards child labor is the key to gaining the support of community people to our advocacy efforts,” Director Jalbuena said.

He said the DOLE implements a convergence program to address the multi-faceted problem which is largely linked with poverty.

“We continue to strengthen our network of stakeholders to ensure the provision of comprehensive services to child laborers or children at risk and their families to effectively lick the problem,” the regional director said.

Stakeholders composed of the DOLE, DSWD, DA, NEDA, DILG, TESDA, DEPED, PIA and the Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Inc. signed a pledge of commitment during the event to advocate for the rights of children, especially those in the worst forms of child labor. 

Prior to the event, Director Jalbuena led the awarding of certificates to 25 Child Labor Free Barangays of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan. END/Arly Sta. Ana-Valdez