TANDAG CITY – 216 children in Tandag were provided with alcohol spray bottles and facemasks by the Department of Labor and Employment Surigao del Sur Field Office (DOLE SDSFO) during the 2022 Children’s Month Celebration conducted on November 4, 2022, at Barangay Telaje Covered Court, Tandag City.

Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on DOLE’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) were also handed out to raise awareness on child labor issues in the country.

Anchored on the theme, “Kalusugan, Kaisipan at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan,” 20 child laborers with their parents/guardians referred by DOLE SDSFO to Tandag City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) also received assistance amounting to ₱3,500.00 each under the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood and other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) Project.

The event was spearheaded by the City Government of Tandag and the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC). Other line agencies present during the activity were the Philippine National Police (PNP) Tandag, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Surigao del Sur, City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Tandag and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga.

The National Children’s Month is celebrated in the country in November every year. This month-long celebration aims to increase awareness on children’s rights such as the right to access proper education, healthcare and a healthy environment. In line with this, DOLE SDSFO will continue strengthening its implementation of the CLPEP in the province and encourage others to support the movement on eradicating child labor in the country. (JED,LEO III/DOLE-SDSFO)