By Analou De Vera
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) targets to reduce cases of child labor in the country by 630,000 by the year 2022, an official of the department said.
(photo by Pixabay)
Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod said that based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are at least 2.1-million Filipino children engaged in child labor.
"Ang target ng Philippine government doon sa reduction ng child laborers natin from 2017 up to 2022 is 630,000," said Maglunsod during the observance of World Day against Child Labor at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Manila yesterday.
He also added that the government aims to fully eradicate the practice of child labor in the country by the year 2025.
"Nais natin na ang mga bata ay malaya sa mapang abusong trabaho, malaya mula sa mapagsamantala, malayang makapag-aral at makapaglaro (We want all children to be free from abusive jobs, to be free from opportunists, and be able to study and play)," Maglunsod said.
Maglunsod emphasized the responsibility of the adult individuals to support the children in attaining their dreams by letting them go to school for them have a better future.
"Hinihikayat ko ang mga bata na nandito ngayon na mag pursige mag aral at ipagpatuloy ang mga pangarap sa buhay. Nandito lang kaming nakakatanda para gabayan kayo at suportahan kayo sa mga nais nyong gawin bilang mabubuting mamamayan ng lipunan (I encourage all the children here to study and follow your dreams. We, elders, are here to guide and support you on what you want to achieve as a good citizen of the society)
" Maglunsod told the children who attended the event.
Maglunsod said the labor department is now conducting a profiling of child laborers in the country to provide assistance for them and to their families.
"Sa kasalukuyan, ay nagsasagawa ang Dept. of Labor ng profiling ng mga batang child labor upang matulungan sila na makaalis sa ganitong situation at upang matulungan din ang kanilang pamilya para hindi na kailangan ng bata na magtrabaho lalo na sa mga mapanganib na paggawa (Currently, the Department of Labor is profiling child laborers in the country to help them be removed from this situation (child labor), and to help their family)," Maglunsod said.
Meanwhile, the DOLE, under its Project Angel Tree, had provided bags and school supplies to the children who attended yesterday's event.