DOLE launches campaign on child labor-free barangays in Cagayan

Saturday 7th of July 2012

PIAT, Cagayan, July 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. 2 launched last July 2 its campaign on child labor-free barangays, anchored on the theme "Pagtutulungan, Pagpapalaya sa mga Batang Manggagawa."

The launching, conducted at Cagayan Robina Sugar Milling Corporation (CARSUMCO) of this town, was attended by 25 child laborers and their parents. The said child laborers came from the barangays of Sto Domingo in Piat; Sampaguita in Solana; Bugnay, Pugo, and San Vicente in Tuao. They work mostly in sugar plantations.

In his message, Michael Alviar, CARSUMCO operations manager, said children should grow up normally. “It is sad to note that because of poverty, some parents force their children to work. It is not bad to teach our children to work, to be industrious and responsible but this should be done during their day off in school. CARSUMCO will try to do its part in this endeavour by giving advice to parents,” Alviar said.

On his part, Lawyer Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr., DOLE Region 2 Director, thanked the support of the municipal officials of Piat, Tuao and Solana including the five pilot barangays and the District Tripartite Council of the Sugar Industry.

Rodriguez said it is important to impart to the children the virtue of hard work and diligence but it is also their rights to play, rest, and be educated or go to school. “The parents have the role to put food in the table. They should also protect their children from any form of neglect, abuse, and exploitation,” Rodriguez said.

The barangay captain of San Vicente, Tuao Estella Ladeza made a challenge to all the stakeholders to make the campaign on child labor-free barangays a continuous effort. “The reality is bigger and I know that it is hard to implement this campaign. But if there is a government assistance or intervention to the parents of these child laborers, our task might be easier,” Ladeza said.

Elmer Lumauan, Head of DOLE Cagayan Field Office said intervention to affected families is possible. “Organize yourselves into an association and register it in our office. The DOLE is providing livelihood assistance to rural workers association in order to promote social justice,” Lumauan said.

As part of the launching, a film showing was done to present the side effects of being a child laborer. A ceremonial turn-over of the tools that the said child laborers are using in the farm was also conducted in exchange of school supplies like bag, notebooks, pencils, ballpens and crayons.

Signing of commitment for this vision was likewise done to formalize the vow of the partner agencies in the progressive elimination of child labor. (TCB/Reginald B. Estioco/PIA 2)