In a bid to combat child labor and improve the welfare of vulnerable families, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6, through its Guimaras Field Office, has extended livelihood assistance to 29 parents of child laborers in Brgy. Constancia, San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
These parents are among 45 beneficiaries of the program, which has received a total of ₱1.3 million in funding.
The livelihood assistance includes various projects aimed at providing sustainable income sources for the families.
The projects, ranging from livestock raising to retail businesses, include cattle raising, native chicken production, hog raising, broiler chicken raising, goat raising, and sari-sari stores.
“Poverty is the menace that pushes the children to engage in child labor; it is the same poverty that deprives the children of their right to proper education and steals the children’s privileges to enjoy as a child,” emphasized DOLE Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr.
Atty. Rodriguez also stressed the critical role of livelihood support in breaking the cycle of poverty that forces children into labor.
He expressed optimism that with continuous monitoring and guidance, these livelihood projects could help uplift the beneficiaries from poverty and ensure that their children have the opportunity to attend school and enjoy their childhood.
