CEBU CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment-Central Visayas (DOLE-7) has intensified its efforts to eliminate child labor in Negros Oriental (NegOr).
The agency reported that child labor in NegOr is prevalent.
Ma. Teresa Tanquiamco, officer-in-charge of DOLE-7’s Negros Oriental Field Office, said farming is the most common type of work performed by 5,009 child laborers.
At least 341 child laborers are involved in quarrying jobs and 314 are engaged in domestic household work.
DOLE is looking to eliminate child labor in the country by 2028.
NOFO recently interviewed and monitored 239 child laborers and their parents in Bayawan City, Basay, La Libertad, and Guihulngan.
NOFO found out that there were 104 child laborers in Bayawan, 66 in La Libertad, 49 in Guihulngan, and 20 in Basay.
DOLE-7 regional director Lilia A. Estillore said monitoring is important to ensure that government interventions will be provided to these children.
"DOLE-7 is committed to implementing the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) to meet the needs of these children and remove them from the worst forms of child labor," said Estillore.
As part of the CLPEP, several activities were carried out, including information drives, collaborative meetings with agencies and organizations, livelihood orientations, workshops, the provision of Negosyo carts, skills training, and the distribution of school supplies, hygiene kits, vitamins, food packs, and clothes to the children.
Under Republic Act No. 9231, child labor refers to any work performed by a child under 18 years old that subjects them to exploitation, harms their health and safety, or hinders their physical, mental, or psychological development.