DOLE boosts anti-child labor advocacy drive
“Bata, Bata, Bakit ka Manggagawa?”
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol strengthened its advocacy against child labor thru various online activities and contests for children.
The advocacy webinar aims to assess and monitor progress toward reaching the goal of eliminating child labor specifically in the region, and for developing appropriate indicators for this purpose.
DOLE Bicol led by Regional Director Ma. Zenaida A. Angara-Campita, together with DOLE Bicol field offices, provincial government offices, local government units (LGUs), school coordinators, parents, and student participated in the live webinar via Zoom.
In line with the 2021 National Children’s Month and 2021 World Day Against Child Labor, DOLE Bicol held contests for students in order to raise awareness and assess understanding on child labor issues and concerns by showcasing their talents in poetry, essay writing, poster making, comic strips, arts and crafts, and even TikTok challenge.
Guest speakers Ms. Ma. Cecilia Mangampo, FOCAL-LEO III of DOLE RO5, Ms. Laisa Desolo-Tatel, RSW of DSWD FOV, and Atty. Lorraine Marcaida, of the Commission On Human rights (CHR) shared their expertise and knowledge on discussing various topics relative to child labor.
Among the discussed topics were the (i) Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP), (ii) Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), and (iii) Children in Situations of armed conflict.
Selected winners of the online poetry contest presented the poems they have written. Their finished output and artworks in other contest categories were flashed on the screen during the live webinar.
Chloe Anne Galon of Gulang-gulang Elementary School and John Derek Bautista of Pili West Central School, both grade six pupils, got the 1st place in English Online Poetry Writing and Tagalog Poetry Contest, respectively.
Advanced certificates were sent to school coordinators via email while prizes were directly sent to the winners. Prizes include Lenovo Tab MS with simcard and P500 load to 1st placers, Real Me C11 Android Phone with simcard and P500 load to 2nd placers, and LTEMobile Wifi with simcard and P500 load to 3rd placers.
Campita congratulated the winners and all the participants in different contests. She also shared her inspiring thoughts to the young and talented students that in order to grow into economically active and productive adults, children must be granted with a nurturing household and the rights to participate pro-actively in the social, cultural, and political aspects in the society.
She said that children will not end up as laborers when the rights, freedom, and education including the basic needs are provided.
“Sumasasang-ayon ako sa mga ginawa ninyo na tula na kapag maayos na natatamasa ng mga kabataan ang kanilang mga karapatan, kalayaan, at mga mga pangangailan ay hindi ito magreresulta sa maagang paggawa o pagtatrabaho para sa mga kabataan.” Campita said during the webinar program.
She believed that young children must be studying and enjoying their lives in school and community activities rather than working at an early age to provide for the family’s urgent necessities.
“Dapat nag-aaral ang mga bata at ini-enjoy lang ang ang pakikilahok sa pampaaralan at pangkomunidad na mga gawain. Hindi dapat maging manggagawa sa murang edad.” she said.