under study

Reactivation of committee vs child labor under study

Cagayan de Oro City (10 September) --

     IN view of reports that children below 18 years old are employed in hazardous jobs in Cagayan de Oro, the City Council committee on health and social services chaired by Councilor Simeon Licayan is set to look into the reactivation of the program committee against child labor.

    The Cagayan de Oro Task Force on Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances finds its reactivation necessary after noting that child labor cases are increasing in the city.

     This situation requires active promotion and enforcement of relevant provisions on the rights of children and all policies, laws and standards relating to child labor, the task force recommended.

     It likewise recommended the strengthening of the system banning employment of children in working conditions that are hazardous to their health and well-being.

       The proposed City Program Implementation Committee Against Child Labor will be composed of Mayor Vicente Emano as chair with the heads of the City Planning and Budget Offices as co-chairmen.

The members will include the City Social Welfare Department, City Division of Schools, the offices of the City Planning and Development, Agriculture, Health, Information, and Finance, the chairmen of the committees on appropriations, sports, youth development, family relations, and representatives of the Departments of Science and Technology (DOST) and Labor and Employment (DOLE), the City Police Department, Roads and Traffic Administration, Land Transportation Office, Maritime Police, Philippine Ports Authority, Air Transportation Office, and non-government offices.

     The committee will be tasked to set priorities, identify needs and problems of working children, plan and implement appropriate interventions and possible funding sources, and mobilize resources.

     It will also coordinate, monitor, document, and report activities and programs implemented to the Regional Child Labor Program Committee. (City Hall/Ragcom)