DILG: Independence Day celebration coincides with World Day vs Child Labor

The 110th Philippine Independence Day celebration coincides with the World Day Against Child Labor, said the Department of Interior and Local Government as it encouraged local chief executives to join hands also in the international efforts in combating child labor.

DILG acting secretary Austere Panadero issued Memorandum Circular 2008-08 directing governors, and city and municipal mayors to conduct activities aimed at lessening, if not eradicating, child labor, which is recognized as a persistent problem especially among Third World countries.

The observance of the World Day Against Child Labor, every 12th of June, follows the proclamation made by the International Labor Union.

This year’s theme, “Education is the Right Response to Child Labor,” advocates the importance of education as a major strategy in preventing and eliminating child labor, the ILO said.

ILO reported that the relationship between labor and education is a key factor that influences decision on whether the children work or not. “Children are often forced to drop out of school in favor of work in order to help augment family income or simply support themselves,” Panadero said.

The DILG has encouraged LGUs to conduct activities or advocacy programs that would inculcate in the minds of the public the need to address child labor. Among these activities are panel discussions, dialogues, photo exhibits, parades, workshops for child laborers, and a fun day.

LGUs were also asked to provide financial assistance — for education and scholarships — to those who are into child labor. Statistics showed that there are around 1.4 million Filipino children, between 5 to 17 years old, who are into labor, and most of them are in the agricultural sector.

In this connection, various government agencies will start today the 2-day “SENTRO: K3 (Kagalingan, Kaisahan at Kalayaan),” public service activities at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The SENTRO: K3, which will be the highlight of the June 12 celebration of the country’s Independence Day, is a nationwide event that carries the theme “Lingkod Bayan Tungo sa Kaunlaran at Kalayaan.”

At least 20 regional government agencies will have booths in the SENTRO: K3 special fair, a one-stop shop of government services, which will open this morning at the city’s sports center.

By 1:30pm the event will be officially opened with ceremonies that will be attended by Tourism undersecretary Phineas Alburo, as the keynote speaker.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had wanted to emphasize more on the services the national government can offer to the people instead of holding parades or motorcade in celebrating Independence Day, said the Philippine Information Agency.

On June 12, Thursday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque will be in Cebu to lead the flag-raising ceremonies at 7am at the Capitol. A caravan will follow from Capitol to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for the inauguration and blessing of the hospital’s emergency room sub-critical area, optha – ENT ward and PCR Laboratory.

Duque, together with Rep. Eduardo Gullas, will then distribute Philhealth cards to 500 beneficiaries at the Talisay District Hospital.

Government agencies will also conduct an outreach mission for the poor residents of Mantuyong, Mandaue City. Activities include free medical consultation and medicine, free haircut for children 12 years old and below, recruitment of scholars by Technical Education and Development Authority, and National Statistics Office registration.

The National Food Authority will sell a maximum of 5 kilos of US rice to every family, at a cost of only P25 per kilo.   — Ferliza C. Contratista, staff member, and Jessica Ann Pareja, UP MassComm intern/RAE