36 parents of child laborers in Mandaue receive P1.04-M livelihood aid

A TOTAL of 36 beneficiaries, all parents of profiled child laborers in Barangay Basak, Mandaue City, each received P30,000 for their livelihood starter kits.

The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 7 Director Salome Siaton turned over last week a check worth P1.04 million to the local government unit of the barangay that will also serve as Dole 7’s partner in the implementation of the beneficiaries’ livelihood projects.

Beneficiaries will soon engage in businesses, such as general merchandise, puto-making, balot selling, ATM coffee vending, siopao selling, and carenderia, among others.

“We want to see these parents or guardians grow and reach financial stability. If they can nurture their livelihood projects and eventually become self-sufficient, then we are assured that their children will be able to continue with their studies and will no longer engage with any forms of child labor,” Siaton said.

Emmanuel Ferrer, head of Dole 7’s Tri-City Field Office, said he is optimistic that the barangay officials of Barangay Basak will be active in monitoring the sustainability of the beneficiaries’ businesses once they are operationalized.

The beneficiaries were provided with project write shop exercises to help them “become socially prepared and ready to handle their livelihood projects.”

During the cash aid distribution, Dole 7 also gave out food cards for the child laborers in the area. It was part of the Project Angel Tree, a component of the Dole’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program, and done to mark the regional celebration of the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, 2021.

The activity was held in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, ALU-TUCP, World Vision, Police Regional Office, Commission on Human Rights, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Cebu Association of PESO Managers, and Philippine Statistics Authority. (NRC, PR)