THE local government of Barangay Cugman has implemented an ordinance against child labor after recognizing that child laborers are prevalent in the said barangay.
The "Ordinance Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination in the Entire Barangay of Cugman, this city" was authored by Family, Women’s and Education Committee Chairperson Ma. Elsie T. Jandayan.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Northern Mindanao Cagayan de Oro City Field Office Chief Emmanuel Toledo, the ordinance was enacted through the continuous advocacy of the Field Office thru its Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) and in partnership with World Vision’s Project Against Child Exploitation (ACE) to the various barangay officials who are mostly members of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).
“Mao ni among kolektibong nakita nga pinakamaayong pamaagi sa pagprotekta ug pagsiguro nga ang mga kabataan mahatagan ug maayong ugma. Akong panghinaut nga ang tanang mga barangay sa syudad muhimo ug samang lakang aron mahunong ug mawala ang child laborers sa dakbayan," Punong Barangay Wendelyn Escobia said.
Toledo, for his part, said that Barangay Cugman's ordinance is the ideal example to prevent and eliminate child laborers in the city.
He also assured that DOLE will maintain its implementation of CLPEP in Cagayan de Oro to boost the advocacy for enactment of the same ordinance and profile the child laborers in all barangays.