TACLOBAN CITY (CIO) — About 100 child laborers in Tacloban City benefited from Angel Tree Project (ATP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 8, as they received school bags full of educational supplies at the Tacloban City Training Center on Tuesday, September 17.
According to DOLE 8 Information Officer Norma Rae S. Costimiano, this Angel Tree Project is part of the celebration of World Day Against Child Labor, wherein this is one way to remove children from dangerous workplaces.

“Today we conducted the third round of the Project Angel wherein another batch of elementary and high school child worker-beneficiaries of the said project received school supplies sponsored by Energy Development Corporation (EDC), which has been DOLE’s partner on the anti-child labor program,” explained Costimiano.

The ATP is a manifestation of the joint efforts of the City Government of Tacloban, the EDC and the private sectors to help the government in eradicating child labor.
With the theme: “Children shouldn’t work in fields, but on dreams,” DOLE 8 Regional Director Yahya A. Centi, in his message, underscored how DOLE is connecting steps to achieve a child-labor-free country.

“We are gathered here to certainly express our commitment, DOLE’s commitment sa ating program against child labor. Also, this is part of the aspirations to fundamentally eliminate child labor in the region and particularly here in Tacloban City,” stressed Centi.

Meanwhile, PESO Manager Emilia A. Cruz lauded the DOLE regional office for implementing the said project and recognizing the child laborers.

“It’s really important that we know who our child laborers are. Thank you for connecting steps, making efforts in addressing their needs and the needs of their parents,” she said.

On behalf of Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, Councilor Brian Steve Granados, Committee Chairperson on Labor Employment and Overseas of the City Council, delivered an inspirational message and encouraged the children to continue their education and steer clear from doing laborious tasks that will danger their lives and health.

DOLE North Leyte Office Chief Bernardita Navarra, HR Manager of EDC Lisa Teresita Daigan and other field office heads of the labor and employment department were also present to grace the event. – C. Merin/CIO

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Photos: K. E. Napala/CIO