Caloocan City gov't gives livelihood packages to parents of former child laborers
The Caloocan City government on Wednesday, June 26, distributed a total of 30 livelihood packages to parents of former child laborers in the city.
(Caloocan City PIO)
The beneficiaries all received bigasan packages to start their businesses and provide for their families.
The livelihood packages are given through the partnership of the city government, with the efforts of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan acknowledged that exploitative activities such as child labor may happen because of the family's dire economic needs, requiring a quick and decisive response from the city government.
"Kahit kailan po ay walang puwang sa ating lungsod ang anumang pang-aabuso lalo na laban sa mga bata, ngunit sa hirap ng buhay, naiintidihan ko rin po kung bakit may mga batang patuloy pa ring nagtratrabaho upang mabuha ang kanilang pamilya. Kaya naman po ganun din ang pagpupursigi natin na puksain ang kahirapan sa Lungsod ng Caloocan (There is no place in our city for any kind of abuse, especially against children. But with the hardships of life, I also understand why some children continue to work to support their families. That is why we strive to eradicate poverty in the City of Caloocan)," Malapitan said.
"Ang hiling ko po sa inyo, palaguin niyo po ang ng negosyong handog sa inyo. Hindi po para sa akin o para sa PESO o DOLE, kundi para po sa ikabubuti ng buhay ng inyong pamilya (My request to you is to grow the business given to you. Do it not for me or for PESO or DOLE, but for the betterment of your family's life)," he added.