‘Walk for Cause’ Vs Child Labor to Mark Labor Day

The Department of Labor and Employment 6 (DOLE 6) will hold a regionwide simultaneous “Walk for a Cause,” a march against child labor, to mark the celebration of Labor Day on May 1.

In Iloilo, the Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Person, Child Labor and Illegal Recruitment, non-government organizations, private establishments and other stakeholders are expected to join the march which will start at 6:00 a.m. from Jaro Cathedral to Mary Mart Mall in Delgado Street.

DOLE 6 Regional Director Atty. Johnson Canete also invited partner government agencies to participate in the walking event for the benefit of child laborers.

The 2011 Survey on Children indicated that Region VI ranked 5th on the list of regions with the most number of child laborers in the country.

“As such, this Office needs to strengthen its efforts to eliminate child labor in the region and, eventually, in the whole country,” said Canete in his letter of invitation.

Registration is ongoing at the DOLE 6 Office in Jaro, Iloilo City. There will be a registration fee of P100 for participants in Iloilo and P50 for those who will join in Negros Occidental.

The proceeds of the walk will be used to fund the agency’s Project Angel Tree which provides school supplies and other services to children at risk from child labor in identified areas in the region.

Some 100 child laborers in identified labor-free barangays in the province of Iloilo will benefit from the Project Angel Tree which will be held on June 12, 2018 during the World Day Against Child Labor.

“Walk for a Cause” will be followed by a program to be highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between partner national government agencies and non-government organizations and stakeholders to renew their commitment in the prevention and elimination of child labor in Western Visayas. (laf/PIA6-Iloilo)