MARIVELES, Bataan – The Department of Labor and Employment held Wednesday its celebration of “World Day Against Child Labor” at the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) here, with the agency declaring the factories child labor-free.
Leilani Reynoso, DOLE provincial chief, said she was happy that the FAB operated by the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) has no child labor among the labor force of its many enterprises.
FAB is formerly the Bataan Export Processing Zone turned Bataan Economic Zone. It has more than 90 multi-national firms with about 40,000 workers. Attending the program were heads of human resources offices of the FAB companies and AFAB chairman Emmanuel Pineda.
“We told chairman Pineda that because the Bataan freeport has no case of child labor, are they going to wait that it will have one before acting? Mas mainam na proactive at magkaroon na ng awareness bago mahuli ang lahat,” Reynoso said. She said that the Philippines and other countries have been celebrating World Day Against Child Labor every June 12 since 2002, but because it coincided with the country’s Independence Day, it was moved to any time within June.
This year’s local theme of celebration is “Karapatan at Kalagayan ng Batang Manggagawa: Sagipin, Tugunan at Protektahan ng Bayan.” “We must have a universal social protection to end child labor which aims to provide strong protection systems such as prioritizing education and child benefits necessary for the reduction and providing a world-free child labor,” Reynoso said.
She emphasized that not only DOLE or FAB but all must be involved and committed to eliminate and put a stop especially to the worst forms of child
labor. “It must be every one’s advocacy.”
“Walang usapin na may batang manggagawa sa mga establisyimento, wala kaming natatanggap na complaint. Ang na-identify at napo-profile lang ay sa mga
certain selected barangays at ang tinutugunan doon kapag may na-identify ay ang DOLE ang nagpo-provide ng assistance kung ano ang pangangailangan ng pamilya like kung kailangan ng livelihood ay binibigyan nila,” Reynoso said.
She noted that DOLE is not alone but has partner agencies like the Department of Local Government, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the local government units and non- governmental organizations.
Pineda said he thinks most people would agree that childhood is the most memorable and happiest time in one’s life. That no one could deny the pleasure of being a child, being innocent, carefree, energetic and playful. What exactly makes childhood such a golden period in life, he said, is the sense of security and boundless optimism that come from the nurturing environment at home, in school and within our neighborhood.
“Harapin ang bawat bukas na bagama’t minsan maaaring may takot pero puno ng tiwala dahil alam mong may naniniwala, naninindigan na bawat bata sa mundo ay karapat-dapat at may karapatan na maranasan ang ganitong uri ng kaligayahan at seguridad mula sa ginintuang yugto ng kanilang buhay,” Pineda said.
“Mariin naming hinihingi ang inyong atensiyon, suporta at aksyon sa ating adbokasiyang wakasan ang anumang uri ng child labor sa ating komunidad at
bansa. As responsible citizens, we must not remain indifferent or turn a blind eye for children who are victims of such abuse. We cannot allow ourselves by remaining silent to become a part of this inhumane cycle of exploitation,” the administrator concluded.
