Project Angel Tree brings gov’t assistance to Surigao Sur child laborers
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) marked the first-ever conduct of Project Angel Tree in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, delivering integrated government assistance to profiled child laborers and their families.
According to DOLE in Surigao del Sur, headed by Provincial Director Genebelle Bal, among the beneficiaries was alias Tristan, 17, one of the 41 profiled child laborers who received food packs, school supplies, and other forms of assistance during the activity held at the Lianga municipal gymnasium.
“Nalipay mi ni Mama karon nga adlaw kay daghan mi nadawat, naay bugas, mga pagkaon, mga gamit pang-eskwela, og karon naa pa gyud koy premyo. Salamat kayo DOLE,” Tristan said.
(My mother and I are happy today because we received many things, such as rice, food, school supplies, and I even won a prize. Thanks a lot DOLE.)
Spearheaded by the DOLE Surigao del Sur in collaboration with national government agencies, the local government unit of Lianga, and private partners brought awareness on child labor, provided immediate assistance to the beneficiaries, and promoted programs that help children stay in school and away from hazardous work.
Child-focused services and family support
Child beneficiaries participated in educational and recreational activities at the Kids’ Town, including the Dream Wall (Akong Pangandoy), film showing, and a basic life support demonstration conducted by the Lianga Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). They also joined the “Basura Mo, Laruan Ko” contest, where toys were created from recycled plastic bottles to promote creativity and environmental awareness.
Parents and guardians attended orientations on Republic Act 9231, or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).
To help improve family income and reduce the need for child labor, 28 parents received Certificates of Entitlement under the DILP, amounting to ₱781,340 in livelihood assistance. Qualified beneficiaries also received ₱4,350 in TUPAD wages for ten days of work, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga gave ₱3,000 in cash assistance.
The activity was attended by DOLE Caraga Regional Director Jason P. Balais, DSWD Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga-Libang, Lianga Mayor Amado M. Layno Jr., members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and representatives from PhilHealth and other partner agencies.
Mayor Layno lauded the inter-agency collaboration, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that children are protected and given opportunities to complete their education.
In his message, Dir. Balais reminded parents of the legal prohibition against child labor while acknowledging the economic realities faced by many families.
The DOLE underscored that child labor, particularly in hazardous work conditions, is prohibited by law as it endangers children’s health and disrupts their education.
While poverty remains a key factor pushing families into such situations, the government continues to address this challenge through various DOLE-led programs and strong inter-agency collaboration. With the combined support of the national government and local government units, these interventions aim to bring children back to school and secure a safer, brighter future for them and their families.
Collective effort against child labor
Various government and private partners contributed food and non-food assistance, including 10 kilograms of rice, spaghetti sets, water tumblers and lunch boxes, vegetable seeds, dental hygiene kits, school supplies, nutri-packs, maternal food packs, vitamins, kiddie bags, grocery packs, free ice cream, and haircut services.
The successful conduct of the Project Angel Tree underscored the government’s whole-of-nation approach in protecting children, strengthening families, and reducing the incidence of child labor in Surigao del Sur. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)