SAN JOSE, Tarlac (PIA) — A total of 74 parents of child laborers in Tarlac receive livelihood packages worth P30,000 each from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The distribution was among the highlights of Central Luzon’s observance of World Day Against Child Labor that was held in San Jose town, Tarlac.
DOLE Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio said 36 parent-beneficiaries from Pampanga, Bataan and Bulacan were likewise awarded with certificates of eligibility under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.
“About 103 profiled child laborers in Central Luzon and their parents received gifts from DOLE, national government agencies, and the private sector during the Project Angel Tree activity in Tarlac,” she furthered.
The activity provided services and assistance to children, including an orientation on Republic Act No. 9231, differentiating between child work and child labor, gift-giving, recreational activities, medical and dental checkups, and other services.
“We hope that we will not have to go through provision of programs and services for the working child because we want to see them to really go back to school and go back to learning,” Panlilio added.
One of the beneficiaries, Sonia Ramos of Barangay Sapang Maragul in Tarlac City thanked the government for the siomai business package she received.
“This is a great help for the education of my children and for our livelihood. We thank the DOLE for this opportunity to start our siomai business,” Ramos said.
This year’s World Day Against Child Labor observance carried the theme “Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labor” while the country’s theme was “Bawat Bata, Malaya: Mithiin ng Nagkakaisang Bansa.” (CLJD/GLSB, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
