DOLE Strengthen Campaign Against Child Labor with Project Angel in Makato

By Sheila Q. Patoza

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Aklan Field Office reinforced its commitment to protecting children from labor and promoting their right to education through the Project Angel Tree activity in Barangay Baybay, Makato.

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to protect and promote the welfare of Filipino children, DOLE-Aklan, in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Makato, with its the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and Barangay Baybay, intensified its campaign against child labor by promoting encouraging communities to create safe, nurturing, and child-friendly environments.

The activity was held in observance of the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL), bringing together government agencies, local officials, and the community to raise awareness and strengthen efforts to eliminate child labor.

Anchored on this year’s WDACL theme, “Ikaw, Ako, Tayo: Sama-samang Pagkilos para sa Batang Malaya,” the activity featured awareness sessions on child labor prevention, interactive discussions with parents and children, and the distribution of school supplies and learning materials to monitored child laborers.

The initiative underscored the government’s continuing efforts to address the root causes of child labor by encouraging families to prioritize education and access available social protection programs.

Barangay Baybay Punong Barangay Ramil T. Pelayo expressed the barangay’s appreciation for DOLE’s continued support in promoting children’s welfare and protecting their future.

“[Sir, maam] welcome kamo makaron nga agahon. Ro aton mga ginikanan, mga inunga ag atong mga igmanghod sa rondaya nga programa it aton nga DOLE, ro ‘Batang Malaya’. Gapaabot gid ako it mainit nga pag-abi-abi ag pagwelcome makarong agahon. Rondayang programa halin sa DOLE, mabahoe gid namon nga pagpasaeamat halin sa Barangay Baybay ag bilog nga pomueoyo. Mabahoe nga bulig para sa atong mga inunga nga napilian,” Pelayo said.

(Maam/Sir, welcome to all of you. To our parents, children, and brothers and sisters participating in this DOLE program, ‘Batang Malaya,’ I extend my warmest welcome. Barangay Baybay and our entire community are deeply grateful for this initiative of DOLE. It is a great help to the children who were selected as beneficiaries.)

Pelayo also encouraged parents to continue guiding their children toward education instead of early employment, emphasizing that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, develop, and achieve a better future.

DOLE-Aklan Community Facilitator Acelle C. Tocol conducted an orientation on the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP), explaining the rights of children, the harmful effects of child labor, and the responsibilities of families and communities in safeguarding children’s well-being.

“Ang Child Labor, imaw ro bata nga nagatrabraho it sangka obra nga pwede nga makaharm or makadelikado sa ana nga health, safety or physical, or sa psychosocial development it mga bata. Ginahope gid naton nga maeliminate daya nga mga child labor, or mga bata nga gaengage sa mga delikado nga trabaho. Syempre, para maging safe aton mga bata, nakakaeskwela ta sanda, nakakahampang, nakakatueog it maayos, ag nagabahoe it ensakto.”

(Child labor refers to children engaged in work that is harmful to their health, safety, or physical and psychosocial development. Our goal is to eliminate child labor, especially hazardous work, so children can live safely, attend school, play, get adequate rest, and grow up healthy.)

Beneficiaries received school bags, notebooks, writing materials, and snacks, providing essential support that would help ease educational expenses for their families.

Beyond the distribution of assistance, the activity also served as a platform to strengthen community awareness that education remains the most effective pathway toward breaking the cycle of poverty and preventing children from entering hazardous work.

Pelayo shared that many of the identified beneficiaries are children who assist their parents in livelihood activities such as fishing and vending due to economic challenges.

He noted that the program not only provided material assistance but also brought hope to families by reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting children’s welfare.

“Nagconduct sanda (DOLE-Aklan) it profiling sa mga estudyante ngara nga mga pobre; anda ron gin-interview tag mga gabulig sa anda nga ginikanan nga mga uwa-uwa. Ro iba abi karon hay usually gabueobaligya ag kung may gapangisda andang mga ginikanan hay nagabulig man aton ngarun nga mga inunga. Mabahoe nga bulig [ang programa] sa amon barangay nga taw-an man it bagay nga maging malipayon man ro aton ngato nga mga inunga.”

(They [DOLE-Aklan] conducted a profiling of poor students in the area and interviewed those who help their parents earn a living. Some sell goods, while others assist their parents in fishing. This program is a great help to our barangay because it provides assistance that brings happiness to our children.)

Through the Project Angel Tree, DOLE-Aklan continues to strengthen partnerships with local government units, barangays, and other stakeholders in building communities where children are protected, empowered, and given every opportunity to complete their education.

The agency emphasized that sustained collaboration among government, families, and communities is vital in eliminating child labor and ensuring that every child enjoys a safe childhood and a brighter future. (EAD-SQP/PIA Aklan, with reports from John Kenneth Adrimesin/DOLE GIP)