The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and World Vision Development Foundation Inc. inked Monday, June 14, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the implementation of a three-year child welfare protection project in Northern Mindanao and Metro Manila.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista and World Vision National Director Rommel V. Fuerte signed the agreement for the implementation of Project Against Child Exploitation or Project ACE, which seeks to address “worst forms” of child exploitation.

“Through this project , we could further strengthen the capacity of our social workers and other stakeholders to address the worst forms of child labor including online, sexual exploitation of children and violations of acceptable conditions of work of children in the pilot areas in Region X (Northern Mindanao) and NCR (National Capital Region),” Bautista said during the virtual signing of MOA.

He noted that Project ACE will also adopt the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood and other Developmental Interventions or SHIELD against child labor, which was developed by DSWD as an intervention or program strategy.

"It will also serve as a model in the replication of the program as well as other child protection measures. I hopeful that with the combination of this project, we can look forward to achieving a society that is free from child labor and other forms of child abuse and exploitation particularly in target areas,” the DSWD chief said.

He described Project ACE as a “laudable” initiative as it “aims to improve the enforcement of the legal framework in addressing the worst forms of child labor including online, sexual exploitation of children and violations of acceptable conditions of work, to enhance services, to assist victim survivors.”

Bautista commended the prime movers of the project for coming up with such strategies as means of enhancing the delivery and services for the disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

"I believe that this project will pave the way towards better social welfare and development interventions which our local counterparts and stakeholders can replicate . I hope this collaboration further ignites our enthusiasm to come up with the core ways to support and facilitate positive changes in the lives of our children who are the nation’s future,” he said.

“Let us continue to deliver, promote compassionate and sincere public service especially to the Filipino children.”

World Vision is a global humanitarian organization devoted to improving the lives of children, their families and communities to overcome poverty. Annually, it extends assistance to over 1.5 million Filipino children.