DILG prods local execs on child protection

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday called on all local government officials to enact laws that will address child labor concerns to protect over 2.1 million children, ages 5 to 17, who are forced to work.

Robredo also urged governors, mayors and barangay chairpersons to integrate anti-child labor initiatives in their local development agenda particularly programs and projects to help eliminate worst forms of child labor.

He reminded local officials that unlawful refusal to implement the provisions of the law may constitute dereliction of duty under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 and may give rise to administrative liability.

The DILG chief issued the call based on the 2005 National Statistics Office (NSO) labor survey showing that there were 2.1 million working children aged 5-17 years old in the country.

The NSO survey also indicated that of the figure, 39.7 percent were elementary dropouts.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention said the worst forms of child labor include all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom, as well as forced or compulsory labor, including forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

Other forms include the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances.

The ILO said the use, procurement or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in relevant international treaties, was also included in the worst forms of child labor.

“And work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children,” the ILO added.

In a memorandum circular, Robredo urged local chief executives to tap their respective Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPCs) to lead in the implementation of all programs and projects addressing problems and issues on child labor.

He said the government is seeking to reduce the incidence of child labor as a commitment to the ILO and reiterated the implementation of the Philippine Program against Child Labor at the LGU levels.

He also asked local executives to implement in their localities RA 9231 or the “Act Providing for the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child.”

RA 9231 also included the allowable numbers of hours a child could work based on his/her age and sets penalties and sanctions against any persons engaging any child in the worst forms of child labor.