DOLE BATANGAS CULMINATES WDACL CELEBRATION WITH THE RELEASE OF LIVELIHOOD PACKAGES

Raising a child is no easy task, especially when you have to raise 10 children as a solo parent. This has been the everyday life of 56-year-old Mr. Luis Mendoza of Rosario, Batangas, a single parent who strives to make ends meet for his children.

“Mahirap. Walang makatuwang sa buhay. Ako lang lagi ang nagpupursige,” Mr. Mendoza said.

Mr. Mendoza received his lutong ulam livelihood package under the  DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program during a ceremonial release at Padre Garcia, Batangas on June 28, 2024. (Photo by April Magpantay)

Due to the hardships of their family life, one of his children resorted to working on a farm at a very young age with the aim of helping to provide for their needs. “Dahil sa aming kakulangan, gusto ring makatulong sa amin,” he shared.

To provide assistance to the families of child laborers like the Mendozas, and to eventually remove the subject child in the worst forms of labor, the Department of Labor and Employment IV-A through its Batangas Provincial Office headed by Director Predelma M. Tan, turned over livelihood packages to parents of child laborers from the municipalities of Padre Garcia, Ibaan, and Rosario, Batangas on June 28.

The DOLE held the ceremonial release as part of the culminating activity of the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) at the Gymnasium of Padre Garcia, Batangas.

In her message, Director Tan shed light on the rationale of the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) and the goal of the Department of a child-labor-free country.

With utmost gratitude, Mr. Mendoza expressed his appreciation for the continuous action of the Department in providing assistance to the families of children engaged in hazardous work.

“Salamat po at ako’y natulungan po ninyo. Makakatulong po talaga sa akin ng malaki [bilang] panimulang negosyo,” Mr. Mendoza uttered.

A total of 17 families received their livelihood packages ranging from frozen food, snacks, printing, and negokart packages.

Aside from the DOLE representatives, the local government officials and staff of Padre Garcia and Ibaan, Batangas also assisted in the ceremonial release and the transportation of the beneficiaries.