The Department of Labor and Employment National Capital Region (DoLE-NCR) has deferred the application and issuance of a working child permit (WCP).
In an advisory dated August 4, DoLE NCR Regional Director Sarah Mirasol said the application and issuance of the WCP has been deferred until the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) has been lifted.
"This is in line with prioritizing the well-being of the children by limiting their movement and exposure from possible coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections," she explained adding, "It is also in congruence with the initiatives of the government to address the increasing incidence of COVID 19 in the country."
Last June, DoLE issued Labor Advisory No. 23, Series of 2020 on the engagement or participation of a child 15 years of age in public entertainment or information pursuant to the Omnibus Guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine in the Philippines.
In the said advisory, the Labor department said a child below 15 years of age may be allowed to participate in public entertainment or information during the community quarantine period provided the child's performance of the assigned task, such as a photo shoot or audio-video recording, shall be done in the child's home and under the supervision of the child's adult family members.
President Duterte placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal under MECQ from August 4 to 18 after medical frontliners called for a "time out" amid the increasing COVID-19 cases in the country.