Going beyond the call of service may entail extra efforts and resources yet brings extra feelings of fulfillment for having done something for the good of others.
This is the conviction of the Provincial Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (PTIPC) of Antique in touching the lives of 70 children-at-risk of Barangay Iglanot, Sibalom, Antique and keeping them from becoming child laborers through Project Angel Tree.
“This is a laudable move of the Provincial Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (PTIPC) of Antique. Showing concern and extending support to these children is an extra-ordinary act. We strongly support this undertaking and further encourage other sectors of the society to join us in our crusade to end child labor,” according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 Regional Director Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr., who himself advocates for child’s welfare.
Project Angel Tree is a component of the DOLE Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program which provides an array of social services that ranges from food, clothing, educational assistance or school supplies, and even work and training opportunities made available by sponsors or benefactors as ‘angels’ to child laborers.
The Council which serves as the main consultative and advisory mechanism of the Department of Labor and Employment in the formulation and implementation of labor and employment policies, now, acts as Angel by distributing school supplies and hygiene kits to the children which is timely for the opening of the face-to-face classes.
Touched by the active support and involvement of PTIPC, DOLE RO 6-Antique Field Office Head Carmela Abellar assured that the Department of Labor and Employment will continuously champion the fight against child labor which deprives the children of their childhood, hamper their education and affect their growth.
Hitting two birds with one stone, the PTIPC-Antique also led in the planting of 150 seedlings in the uncultivated terrains of Brgy. Villafont, Sibalom, Antique.
Mr. Rani E. Rodriguez, PTIPC Vice Chair for Management, shared his appreciation to fellow members for heeding the call to take part in molding a better future for children at-risk of becoming child laborers and in restoring the environment by tree planting.
DOLE couldn’t help but give a shout out to the members of PTIPC Antique for the resounding success of Project Angel Tree and Tree Planting activities that fateful day.
