DAVAO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment held the first Regional Anti-Child Labor Summit and Children’s Festival Monday in a mall in Lanang, Davao City in a bid to intensify the campaign against child labor.
DOLE-XI regional director Joffrey Suyao said the region has 400,000 child laborers based on a 2011 study.
The event was highlighted by the signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular with the region 11 partners in implementing the HELP ME Convergence to Address Child Labor.
The HELP ME Convergence was created to unite and synchronize efforts of partner stakeholders against child labor. From 2013 up to the present about 332 parents of child laborers were given livelihood assistance which has amounted to P2-million.
Among the participants in the whole-day event are barangay councils, organized parents, children representatives alongside partner government agencies and non-government organizations.
The Project Angel Tree was also conducted to pool gifts from private individuals and companies for the children. (davaotoday.com)
