35 parents of child laborers in Gensan start anew with DOLE’s Kabuhayan Program

by RSPastor and CKBataga, DOLE XII

General Santos City – As a strategic response to prevent and eliminate child labor in the region, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XII, through its General Santos City Field Office (GSCFO), facilitated the distribution of starter kits under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) to 35 parents of child laborers amounting to Php 736,548.00 at Purok Diamond Valley, Barangay Tambler, General Santos City.

On May 12, Thursday, DOLE XII Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante and GSCFO Head, Domingo C. Baron, led the said awarding with Punong Barangay Karl Vincent Queipo.

In his message, RD Agravante emphasized that the tools and jigs awarded to the parents of child laborers are for their livelihood and to generate additional income to support their children’s education.

“Ampingan ninyo ni, inyong padaghanon,kay kamo ang nagpropose ani, maong makatabang gyud ni kaninyo. Mao ni gihatag para makaincome mo og makatabang sa pang adlaw-adlaw na panginahanglan,” added RD Agravante.

(Take care and develop your proposed livelihood undertakings. These will augment your income to help provide for your daily needs.)

The beneficiaries were selected based on the results of the barangay profiling of areas with high incidence of child laborers who underwent needs assessment to remove them from child labor.

The beneficiaries’ chosen livelihood projects range from food vending, welding services, and eatery to vulcanizing services.

The Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) aims to remove children from child labor particularly in its worst forms. The program contributes to the Philippine Program Against Child Labor of the national government interventions for eliminating or preventing child labor and is responsive to the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Development Plan, 2017-2022 specifically on Chapter 10: Accelerating Human Capital Development.