
Some 990 sugar workers and their dependents in Tarlac received assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The initiative is part of the government's efforts to fight child labor and provide emergency employment to disadvantaged and displaced workers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (Tupad) program.
Geraldine Panlilio, DOLE Central Luzon director, said the program is aimed to eliminate child labor and ensure the protection of children’s rights.
“Dahil gusto natin ang mga bata naglalaro, nagaaral, at bata lamang na na-eenjoy ang kanilang kabataan at hindi nagtatrabaho, nae-exploit, hindi nagkakaroon ng problema sa paglaki dahil naging bata bago nagtrabaho,” Panlilio said.
The agency said it conducted an information caravan for Tupad beneficiaries, which included discussions on Republic Act No. 9231, anti-child labor initiatives, and support services from partner agencies.
DOLE said it also organized games and provided school supplies, bags, tumblers, and umbrellas to 50 children considered at risk of child labor through DOLE’s Project Angel Tree.
The project mobilizes donors from both public and private sectors to support children engaged in child labor.
Under the Tupad program, DOLE disbursed a total of P5,425,750 in wages for the 990 beneficiaries.
Each of them received P550 per day for 10 days of work, which included community clean-up activities such as declogging canals and maintaining public spaces and schools.
The program was implemented by the agency, in partnership with the Tarlac District Tripartite Council and the provincial government of Tarlac.