In line with the observance of the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) on June 12, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to end child labor in the Philippines.
“We stand united with the whole government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to completely eradicate child labor. Child labor is a menace that robs children of their freedom, innocence, and fundamental rights. It also hinders the development of children to achieve their full potential,” the DSWD chief said in a statement for the WDACL on Wednesday (June 11).
Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the necessity for all sectors of society to work hand-in-hand to combat child labor.
“We need to redouble our efforts through a whole-of-society approach to eliminate this concern. This includes strengthening our legal frameworks, providing comprehensive social welfare and development interventions, and ensuring that all families will be able to access decent work and livelihood,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
With the global theme, “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!”, the WDACL 2025 aims to “reflect both the progress achieved and the urgency to intensify action to meet global targets” on child labor.
To further deliver the global theme down to the localities, the National Council Against Child Labor (NCACL) adopted the theme, “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Mag-aaral ang Bata, Hindi Manggagawa!” emphasizing the country’s commitment to ending child labor and advancing the right of every child to education.
SHIELD Program
As the Co-Chair of the NCACL, the DSWD implements the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and Other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) program against child labor to provide holistic and immediate interventions at the community level to child laborers and their families.
Among the services provided by the DSWD are case management, educational assistance, cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and case referrals to other agencies.
From 2021 to 2024, some 12,193 child laborers were assisted by the SHIELD Program, of which 3,887 have already been assessed to be free from any form of child labor and reintegrated into their families and communities.
Last December, a lawmaker also cited the 4Ps education grants as one of the factors that contributed to the drop in the number of child laborers in the Philippines in 2023, based on the report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Secretary Gatchalian vowed to work with other agencies and stakeholders to innovate development programs that will help more Filipino children break from the bond of child labor in the country.
“Only through coordinated and sustained efforts can we create a world where no child is subjected to exploitation and every child can thrive in dignity and hope,” the DSWD chief said. (AKDL)