The Department of Labor and Employment Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE QPO) in collaboration with Pearl Energy Philippines Operating, Inc. and Peter Paul Philippines Corporation, brought Christmas presents to 18 profiled child laborers from Sariaya, Mulanay, San Andres, and San Narciso.
The Department of Labor and Employment Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE QPO) in collaboration with Pearl Energy Philippines Operating, Inc. and Peter Paul Philippines Corporation, brought Christmas presents to 18 profiled child laborers from Sariaya, Mulanay, San Andres, and San Narciso.
Former child laborers who worked as farmers and vendors received brand new mobile phones loaded with P1,000 from the DOLE QPO and partner companies.
Nico (not his real name), an identified and profiled child laborer from Mulanay, began working as a farmer at a young age in order to save money for a mobile phone for his online class. He is the eldest of five siblings raised by parents who are both farmers in their barangay.
"Malaki po ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga naghandog ng regalong ito sa akin. Dahil dito, ako naman mahihirapan sa aking pag-aaral.Ang lahat po ng naipon kong pera ay ibibigay ko na lamang sa aking ina para makatulong sa mga gastusin naming sa bahay, "Nico said upon receiving his gift.
Mr. Edwin T. Hernandez, DOLE QPO Provincial Head, stated that addressing child labor in Quezon requires a collaborative effort from the government and the private sector.
"We really need to intensify our efforts to safeguard the most vulnerable, especially children. The condition of children being obliged to work is a depressing and unfortunate reality. We should continue to work for their welfare and security, "he said.
"We identified and properly profiled these child laborers under our Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program of DOLE so that we can provide them with the necessary assistance that should match their needs,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez added that thegift-giving activity under DOLE QPO’s Project Angel Tree is just part and parcel ofthe program. Together with the partners, DOLEhopes to improve the conditions of child laborers and their families.
Hernandez also stated that the DOLE QPO intends to improve the lives of these children and encourage them to complete their education through the Department's programs and services aimed at reducing child labor in the province.
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