Poverty has been one of the major reasons children engage in hard work. In order to help their parents earn additional income to support the family’s daily needs, children were impelled to quit school and plod persistently against financial challenges and uncertainty. Two years into the pandemic, it has been reported that there was a rise in child labor and poverty in the country. Thus, a livelihood program is offered to their parents.
Mrs. Maylen But and Mr. Jestonie Adamon, parents of child laborers, acknowledged that inadequacy of income especially during the pandemic was the reason their children was engaged in seasonal farm work in the province of Davao del Norte.
According to Philippine Statistics Authority, the agriculture sector registered the highest percentage of working children in 2020 at 47.4%, majority of which were reported to have worked 20 hours or less per week. While Davao Region has lower share of working children across the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI remains steadfast in its fight against child labor.
Among the endeavors of DOLE to rescue children from worst forms of labor in the region, parents of profiled child laborers are provided with livelihood program and grants under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or Kabuhayan Program. In fact, a total of 543 parents/guardians of profiled child laborers in Davao Region were assisted under the program in 2021.
Just recently, Mrs. But and Mr. Adamon were among the nine (9) parents of child laborers in Davao del Norte who were awarded with individual livelihood assistance under the DILP. Through the DOLE XI- Davao del Norte Field Office (DNFO), each beneficiary received Php 20,000.00 as a start-up capital to venture into individual enterprise.
“Nasabtan namo nga ang mga kabataan kinahanglan mahatagan og kahigayonan nga mueskwela ug malingaw og dula sa gawas imbes nga mutabang sa ilang mga ginikinan nga manarbaho. Mao’ng nagapasalamat mi aning tabang nga gihatag sa DOLE XI. Amoang paningkamutan nga mulambo kini alang sa kaugmaon sa among mga anak. (We understand that children should be studying and playing outside instead of helping us earn additional money. That’s why we are grateful for this opportunity given to us by DOLE XI. We will do our best to make this livelihood thrive for our children’s future),” shared Mr. Jestonie Adamon from Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, whose child used to work in a banana plantation.
Similarly, Mrs. But expressed her gratitude to DOLE XI for the assistance and hoped that this would be their child’s ticket out of poverty. “Amoang ampingan kini nga oportunidad isip pagpangandam og maayong kaugmaon para sa among anak ug aron matagaan namo siya og saktong edukasyon. Tungod isip ginikanan, kining edukasyon ang pinakamaayong ikabilin namo sa among anak. (We will seize this opportunity to provide better life for our only child and strive to give him an education that he truly deserves. As parents, it would be the best legacy we could give to him),” she added.
Among the livelihood program undertakings that the parents have initially identified were grocery stores, hog raising, and eatery business or carenderia.
Present during the awarding of checks on July 11, 2022 at the Provincial Capitol in Tagum City were personnel from the DOLE-DNFO headed by Chief Angelina A. Talingting and DILP Focal Person Lalaine M. Apugan, and personnel from the Provincial Government Office of Davao del Norte led by Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib.
In a message, Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy cited Mrs. Antonina Brigole from Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte as a role model to the parents of child laborers. Considering the productive and efficient management of her livelihood, Mrs. Brigole’s sari-sari store was recognized as Best DILP Assisted Project – Individual Category (Regional Level) in Kabuhayan Awards 2022. “The story of Mrs. Brigole and her family’s concurrence with DOLE’s programs and services demonstrates our sustained efforts to prevent and eliminate child labor in the region. It serves as an inspiration to us, as a community, to pledge more assistance to our children, boost our economic growth, and take responsibility as stakeholders,” RD Pensoy said.
Aside from the cash assistance, the parents of child laborers, who are now beneficiaries of DILP, will be provided with training on basic entrepreneurship and continuing technical advisory services. The conduct of these activities will be a collaborative effort among DOLE XI and its partners from both private and government offices. Further, the Office shall be conducting evaluation and monitoring activities throughout the year to ensure proper implementation of the program. All these undertakings are for the common objective to prevent and progressively eliminate child labor and address the poverty cycle in Davao Region.
###
