Three barangays in this city have been chosen as pilot areas for anti-child labor programs to be implemented in partnership with a non-government organization.

During its launching on Friday, World Vision Field Coordinator Jovie Sorongon identified the barangays as Puntod, Cugman, and Gusa.

“These barangays will receive starter kits on June 12 during the Kalayaan Job Fair,” Sorongon said.

The job fair forms part of the 125th Independence Day celebration on June 12 organized by the Department of Labor and Employment in Northern Mindanao Region (DOLE-10), the partner agency of World Vision, which also observes the World Day Against Child Labor.

DOLE-10 Director Estrella Uy-Pahalla said together with World Vision, they will turn over PHP3,000 worth of certificates of awards for the livelihood starter kits to 100 parents or guardians of child laborers from the pilot villages.

Cugman Barangay Chair Wendilyn Escobia said the village council profiled 79 child laborers in 2022 which was mitigated through their intervention.

“There were 23 new cases profiled this year (2023) and would be recipients of DOLE-10 and World Vision’s distribution of livelihood starter kits on Independence Day,” Escobia said.

Meanwhile, Puntod Barangay Councilor Joy Amarga reported that there are 135 child laborers identified since last year in their village alone. (PNA)