DOLE holds Project Angel Tree, Caravan of Services in NegOcc

Department of Labor and Employment Negros Occidental Field Office (DOLE-NOFO) successfully held its Project Angel Tree and Caravan of Services in the cities of Cadiz and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental Province as contribution to the 2019 National Children’s Month Celebration.

The Project Angel Tree is a component of the DOLE’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP), which provides an array of social services that range from food, clothing, educational assistance or school supplies, and even work and training opportunities made available by sponsors or benefactors (“angels”) to child laborers and their families.

It aims to improve the economic and social conditions of child laborers and their families and increase the number of allies and advocates of child labor prevention and elimination.

A total of 1,005 identified child laborers and their parents received school supplies and food packs, and availed of free medical and dental, haircut and massage services offered by partner government agencies.

The Local Government Units (LGUs) of Cadiz City, Calatrava and Sagay City, through their Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), brought a total of 219 identified child laborers, and 192 parents in Cadiz City Arena on November 23, 2019, for the first leg of the Project Angel Tree cum Caravan of Services.

Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. said that he is grateful to host such event since one of the LGU’s thrusts is to protect the rights and privileges of children.

“Let us not allow our children not to enjoy their right to education. Let us protect, nurture and care for them. They will be our future, thus they need to be educated first, not worked”, said Escalante.

The second leg was held at the covered court of Brgy. 9, Kabankalan City wherein a total of 300 children and 294 parents were brought to the area to receive the goods and services made ready for them.

The school supplies included a plastic envelope with handle, notebooks, intermediate papers, erasers, ballpens, pencils, sharpeners, and a raincoat. While the food bag has coffee and milk in packs, 1 kilo of rice, 1 kilo of sugar, bread, and canned goods such as sardines and corned beef.

“This is such a joyous event for us, celebrating the existence of our children. We are very grateful to be part of this endeavor especially that our beneficiaries are the identified child laborers and their parents,” said Elma Bachita, PESO Manager of Kabankalan City, who represented the LGU in behalf of City Mayor Pedro Zayco.

The City and Municipal Health Offices of the respective LGUs provided the free medical and dental services for the children and their parents, while the free haircut service was offered by some uniformed men from the 303rd Infantry Brigade (north) and 15th Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (south). The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provided the free massage, manicure and pedicure services in both venues.

Mary Agnes N. Capigon, Head of the DOLE Negros Occidental Field Office expressed her gratitude to all partners in the government and private sectors who contributed to and supported the successful realization of the activity.

“The Project Angel Tree is our way to collaboratively help our vulnerable children not to be engaged further into child labor. The support of LGUs, PESOs, intermediaries, private institutions and establishments, and even non-government organizations in this endeavor is very evident and overwhelming,” Capigon said.

The activity also included learning sessions from the Department of Trade and Industry on how to put up a business, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office on how to avoid and prevent rape cases involving children, and from the DOLE on the registration of Rural Workers Association and procedures on how to avail livelihood projects. (DV Agreda/LIO/DOLE-Negros Occ. Field Office)