Child Labor in the Philippines is the employment of children in hazardous occupations below the age

of eighteen (18), or without the proper conditions and requirements below the age of fifteen (15),
where children are compelled to work on a regular basis to earn a living for themselves and their
families, and as a result are disadvantaged educationally and socially.
The National Statistics Office (NSO) has said there are currently around 5.5 million child laborers
aged 517 in the country, around 3 million of whom are exposed to environments that are
considered hazardous.
The International Labour Organization estimates that 55.3% of these children undertake hazardous
work in an agricultural setting.

Definitions[edit]
Republic Act No. 7610, known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and
Discrimination Act, gives the followings definitions pertinent to understanding the Child Labor
situation in the Philippines:

Children - refers to persons below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable
to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation
or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition. (Section 3) [1]

Child Labor - refers to the illegal employment of children below the age of fifteen (15),
where they are not directly under the sole responsibility of their parents or legal guardian, or the
latter employs other workers apart from their children, who are not members of their families, or
their work endangers their life, safety, health and morals or impairs their normal development
including schooling. This also extends to the situation of children below the age of eighteen (18)
who are employed in hazardous occupations. (Section 12) [1]

The joint project of the Philippine National Statistics Office and International Labor Organization
made distinctions on the kinds of work that children subjected to. [4]

Hazardous Work[edit]

Chemical - work involves exposure to: Dust (e.g. silica, dust, standing dust), Liquid (e.g. oil,
gasoline, mercury), Mist, fumes, or vapors (e.g. paint, insecticides or pesticide spraying), Gas
(e.g. oxygen, ammonia), etc.

Physical - work involves exposure to: Noise,Temperature or humidity, Pressure, Inadequate

illumination or lighting, Slip, trip, or fall hazards, Insufficient exit for prompt escape, Congested
lay-out Radiation, ultraviolet, or microwave, etc.

Biological - work involves exposure to: Viral, Bacterial, Fungal, Parasitic (e.g. drinking water
affected with amoeba), etc.

Permissible Work[edit]
Children are allowed to undertake work under certain conditions.[5]

A child below 15 years old can be permitted to work if he/she is under supervision by family
senior/ parents provided that the child works directly under the sole responsibility of his/her
parents or legal guardian and where only members of his/her family are employed.

The childs employment does not endangers his/her life, safety, health, and morals, or
impairs his/her normal development.

The parent or legal guardian shall provide the said child with the prescribed primary and/or
secondary education.

The employer first secures a work permit for the child from the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE).

Children aged 15 to below 18 years of age are permitted to work in any economic activity not
considered child labor, but not more than eight (8) hours a day and in no case beyond forty (40)
hours a week. They shall not be allowed to work between 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. of the following
day, and employer should provide the child with access to at least elementary and secondary
education.[5]

Current Status[edit]
As of 2013, there are 3.210 million child laborers in the Philippines. In 2001 there were 2.4
million.[6] There are a total of 9.8 million children aged 5 to 17 working in the Philippines. 2.46 million
(44.9%) of these are doing legal work. 66.8% of child labourers are boys. [7]
2.4 million children did hazardous work in 2001 out of a total number of working children of 4 million.
In 1995, the number of children doing hazardous work was 2.2 million, out of a total of 3.6 million. [8]
In its report Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor in 2013, the U.S. Department of
Labor estimated the percentage of working children aged 5 to 14 to be around 11% which
corresponds to about 2,180 million children. 65% of these children were found in the agricultural
sector, 5% in the industrial sector and 29% engaged in domestic service. [9] The 2014 List of Goods

Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor reported 13 goods produced exclusively by child labor in
the Philippines. These included 8 agricultural goods (namely sugarcane, bananas, coconuts, corn,
hogs, rice, rubber, and tobacco). Gold mining, pornography andpyrotechnics complete the list.

Philippine Legislation on Child Labor[edit]

Historical Evolution of Child Labor Laws in the Philippines[edit]
The concern for the welfare of Children being employed to work started in the Philippines as early as
1923.[10] The American colonial government of that time enacted the very first set of rules and
regulations in the country regarding Child-labor through Act No. 3071, also known as An Act to
Regulate the Employment of Women and Children in Shops, Factories, Industrial, Agricultural and
Mercantile Establishments, and Other Place of Labor in the Philippine Islands, to Provide Penalties
for Violations Hereof and for Other Purposes.[11] The enforcement of this law was eventually
overseen by the Woman and Child Labor Section of the Inspection Division of the then Bureau of
Labor in 1925. When the Philippines declared independence from American rule in 1946, all existing
laws enacted under the former regime were replaced by Republic Acts. Act No. 3071 was renamed
R.A. 695 thereafter and the implementation was entrusted to the Women and Minors Division of the
former Bureau of Labor Standards, in 1957.[10]
In 1932, the Philippines enacted into law to codify its penal laws, they came to be known as
the Revised Penal Code (RPC).[12] The RPC contains several provisions barring certain types of child
work, such as Exploitation of Child Labor (Article 273) which prohibits an employer from retaining a
child worker in service against his or her will under the pretext of reimbursing a debt incurred by the
childs ascendants. The PRC also includes a clause regarding the Exploitation of Minors (Article
278). This provision prohibits the employment of a minor less than sixteen (16) years of age in what
the code describes as dangerous exhibits. Other provisions of the RPC relating to slavery,
prostitution, corruption, illegal detention, and kidnapping of minors are all applicable to child workers.
The RPC remains in effect to this day in the Philippines.[10]
Two years after Philippine independence from American control, the Republic became a member
state of the International Labor Organization in June 15, 1948.[13] Since then, the Philippines have
ratified a number of international conventions adopted by ILO, relating to child labor. The country first
ratified in 1953, ILO Convention No. 90, which prohibits the employment of children in industry
during night time and in 1960,[14]the government ratified ILO Convention No. 59, which fixes the
minimum age of employment for industry at 15 years.[15] The convention, however, allows younger
workers to be employed in undertakings which only members of the employers family are employed,
but only if the work in question is not a danger to the life, health, or morals of the children employed.
ILO Convention No. 77, which requires the medical examination and subsequent re-examination of
children as a prerequisite for their employment,[16] was also put into effect in 1960. The ILO

Convention No. 138 or the Minimum Age Convention of 1973[17] was not ratified in the Philippines
until 1998.[18]
During the Martial Law, a handful of Presidential Decrees (P.D.s) were enforced concerning child
labor laws in the Philippines. One of which is P.D. no. 148 which amended R.A. 679, the Woman and
Child Labor Law. The new decree simplified the complex provisions of R.A. 679 regarding confusing
age limits imposed by this law under different types of undertakings allowing "any person between
14 and 18 years of age may be employed in any non-hazardous undertaking." [19] It is important to
note that P.D. no 148 was in direct disagreement with ILO Convention No. 59. The new law didnt
last that long since only a year after, P.D. no 148 was amended by the passage of P.D. no 442,
otherwise known as the Labor Code. The new law raised the minimum age of employment from 14
to 15 years old, and has maintained the previous minimum age for hazardous undertakings at 18
years old. The Labor Code failed, however, to include the terms and conditions of employment of
children previously provided by R.A. 679, as amended by P.D. no. 148 creating a huge gap in the
new law. This was eventually addressed through P.D. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code, a
codification of different provisions for the well-being of all children.[10]

Child Labor Laws in the Philippines[edit]

After the fall of the Marcos regime in 1986, increasing demands for reforms in government policies,
legislation and programs affecting children made the government respond by ratifying the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on July 26, 1990. The CRC entered into force
as an international agreement on September 2, 1990. The convention directs the ratifying countries
to recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing
any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to
the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. [20]
To comply with the mandate of the U.N CRC, the government enacted R.A. 7610, An Act Providing
for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and
Discrimination, Providing Penalties for its Violation and for Other Purposes on June 17, 1992.
[10]

Initially, the act was lauded for its innovation in promoting child welfare, especially those found in

extremely difficult situations. However, the act was also severely criticized because of how its
provisions severely changed existing policies regarding Child labor laws. Article VIII, Section 12, of
R.A. 7610 legalized the employment of all children below 15 years of age, but only if the employer is
able to secure a working permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).[10]
Public opinion and international organizations like the ILO and the UNICEF, along with the
local Department of Justice pushed to amend R.A. 7610, Article VII, Section 12, as it was in flagrant
violation of ILO convention no. 59. A new law called R.A. 7658 or An Act Prohibiting the
Employment of Children below 15 Years of Age in Public and Private Undertakings was passed in
October 1993 for this purpose.[10] R.A. 7658 allows only two exceptions to the prohibition on

employment below the minimum age, first for the concerned child to work directly under the sole
responsibility of the child's parents or legal guardian and where only members of the employer's
family are employed and second, where a child's employment in public entertainment or
information through cinema, theater, radio or television is essential. Additionally, the new law
requires the employers to first secure for the child a work permit from the DOLE before the child can
begin to work.[21]
In 2003, the Philippines passed a new law known as R.A. 9231 or the Special Protection of Children
Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. [22] This law specifically limits the
employment of children below 15 years old, with the same exceptions as R.A. 7658, with additional
provisions regarding restrictions on the number of hours children are allowed to work, provisions on
expanding working childrens access to education, social, medical, and legal assistance.

Causes and Effects[edit]

There are different reasons to why children are pushed to work below the legal age of 18. Listed
below are some of the main problems.

Causes[edit]
Poverty[edit]
According to a survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority or the NSCB on 2009 and
released on 2011, 26.5% of the Filipino population is considered poor. This amounts to 23.1 million
Filipinos who live below the poverty threshold. The poverty threshold refers to the minimum income
a family or individual must earn in order to be considered not poor. An individual is considered poor
if he/she is below the annual per capita poverty threshold of P16, 871. Recent research cites that
poverty incidence among Filipino families have been increasing. Poverty incidence percentage
declined from 21% in 2006 to 20.5% in 2009 and to 19.7% on 2012; however due to growing
population the number of families rose from 3.8 million to 4.03 million and to 4.2 million respectively.
Furthermore, a family of five would need an average of P7, 890 to cover their familys basic food and
non-food needs.[24]
The widespread poverty and unemployment rates in the country means that poor or low-income
households are vulnerable to income and employment shocks. Lacking in physical assets that may
be sold oroffered as collateral in order to reduce or prevent interruptions to their income streams,
poor households may resort to sending their younger members to work as a risk-reducing strategy.
Especially during economic downturns when adult unemployment is rising and incomes are falling,
child work provides a way for augmenting household incomes. It is thus reasonable to expect that

the incidence of child labor will be higher among poor households than non-poor households and
that such incidence should rise especially during periods of economic slowdown or decline. [25]
Child labor tends to reinforce intergenerational cycle of poverty because it interferes with their
education and increases their vulnerability to exploitation. [26]
Educational Status[edit]
In a study done by Anna Leah Colina for Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research
(EILER),
"The study, which involved 3,859 households, found that children from poor families "are
being forced by necessity to augment the family's coffers by working". Leaving school and
working is a decision forced upon children by the reality they face each day, the study
added. It further revealed that 96 percent of the households surveyed are living below the
poverty threshold of their regions. At least 78 percent of respondents said they do not own or
have access to land. Instead, most rely on other means to earn a living such as working in
mines and plantations. Colina said a lack of access to education is also a "one push factor"
to child labor. She said 60 percent of child laborers did not reach the sixth grade, while 44
percent reached Grade 6 before they left school to work.[27]
This study has shown that most children are either forced to work at an early age or just work to
have a steady income to help their families in their financial situations.
Population[edit]
From the 90's to 00's to 10's the Philippines population have steadily increased from 60,703,810
to 76,506,928 and to 92,337,852 respectively, a growth rate of 2.12 percent. [28] And by 2045, it is
projected to be at 142 million Filipinos according to (Sgd) Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Ph. D. [29]

Effects[edit]
Educational[edit]
Based on the result of the 2013 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass media survey
facilitated by the National Statistic Office, 10.6% of ages 624 of the countrys population is out
of school. One of the top reasons is poverty. Insufficient income to sustain schooling constitutes
19.2% of the out of school youth. Another alarming sign is that lack of interest which constitutes
to 19.1%. Lastly, 5.5% of both male and female youths are out of school because they are either

employed or looking for work. These factors affect the kids as they try to help their families earn
more that resulted to the negligence of their education.[30]
A study indicated that school attendance among child workers tends to be sacrificed. Although
schooling can be combined with work in many instances, various factors like poverty and the
conditions of work may prevent working children from either attending school or benefiting to any
significant degree from doing so. Children laboring under hazardous conditions are also at great
risk of getting injured or contracting various diseases. Psychological and emotional problems
have also been noted among children working under extreme conditions. These effects have
implications on the future productive capacity and earning potential of working children. The
failure to invest in human capital now means that the working children of today will be the
impoverished parents of tomorrow, bearing children who like them will also be pushed
prematurely into the labor market to make ends meet. Child labor, especially the worst forms,
tends to reproduce the very same conditions that brought it about. [25]
The relationship between child work, bad performance at school, and eventual non-attendance
can take various routes as illustrated in many documented cases. In general, time divided
between work and studying does not permit a child to focus on the latter, causing him to fall
behind with his lessons and to get low grades. Conditions of work are, therefore, critical as they
can affect a childs readiness to tackle schoolwork.[25]
Health and Abuse[edit]
Numerous problems were highlight in a research by Anna Leah Colina for a non-government
Ecumenical Institue for Labor Education and Research (EILER).
Poverty and lack of family income are the main reasons why children leave school and
work," said Anna Leah Colina, executive director of the non-government Ecumenical Institute
for Labor Education and Research. With funding from the European Union, EILER
conducted a six-month study on child labor in mines and plantations in the southern
Philippines from April to October 2014. Results of the study were released on Wednesday in
Manila. Colina said that two out of 10 households surveyed in six communities have
incidents of child labor primarily due to low family income, lack of access to land and
inaccessible schools .Colina also found out that children were forced to work on 16-hour
shifts. She then cited a case of a child named Julius (not his real name) to show the extreme
and hazardrous conditions on which this kid is working with. The 15-year-old boy is one of
many children in the village of Diwata in Compostela Valley province who work alongside
adults in the tunnels of a gold mine. From early morning until sundown, Julius is inside the

tunnel with a sledgehammer, a shovel and a pickaxe with only a plastic helmet, a pair of
boots and gloves for protection.[27]
Continuous exposure to various hazards in their work environments, especially chemical
and biological ones that are invisible, places childrens health and lives at great risk. While
adults working under the same conditions face similar risks, an argument for minimum
health and safety regulations would pose that children are especially vulnerable to workrelated illnesses. Their yet undeveloped biological processes make their bodies less
resistant to the chemicals and other toxic substances they are regularly exposed to. The
lack of proper nutrition, so characteristic among the poor, moreover increases the
vulnerability of working children to both the short, and long-term debilitating effects of work,
which can cut short economically productive life.[25]

Government Organizations[edit]
In order to progressively eliminate the proliferation of child labor cases in the Philippines, the
following agencies, DOLE, DSWD, and CWC jointly collaborate on the programs and
actions that assure the prevention of more child labor cases and the protection of the
children in the society.

Primary Agency[edit]
Department of Labor and Employment[edit]
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is the national government agency
responsible for formulating policies, the implementation of programs, and they serve as the
policy-coordinating program arm of the Executive Branch in the labor and employment field.
[31]

They are leading the networks in the progressive eradication of child labor through

protecting, preventing, and removing the children out of the hazardous and exploitative
works, which also includes curing and redeeming them back into society.[32] Their projects,
programs, and activities are as follows:
1. Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL)
2. Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program
3. H.E.L.P. M.E. or the Health, Education and training, Livelihood, Protection and
prevention, and Monitoring and Evaluation Program
4. Project Angel Tree

5. KaSaMa Program
6. Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES)
7. Child-Labor Free Barangays
DOLE also enforced national laws such as "The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act" (R.A. 9208)
and "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act"
(R.A. 9231).
Philippine Program Against Child Labor[edit]
The Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) is the founded from the National
Program Against Child Labor (NPACL) framework. Led by the Department of Labor and
Employment, the latter framework was established for the period 2001-2004 to combat child
labor. The program partners used it as a way to unify the goals, missions, visions, and other
points needed of the programs to be established. When the period ended, the National Child
Labor Committee added breadth to the framework by identifying new objectives that would
help sustain the environment NPACL fostered and continue preventing the progressing
situation of child labor in the Philippines.
In order to protect children and their rights, they proposed seven objectives to influence
action:

Create a database system that upholds relevant information on the current events and
news on child labor. This database system should be remained updated, inviting
stakeholders and program partners to continually add significant studies and other
resources.

Ensure the role of the PPACL in all of the different partnerships and organizations
geared to fight against child labor. This will help create a more responsive National Child
Labor Committee.

Engage the committee by creating awareness of the prevalent child labor issue through
encouraging them to participate in the advocacies and other programs established for
them.

Encourage social workers and other entitled workers to participate in the programs to
add more quality and authenticity.

Provide opportunities for children in order to avoid the continuance of child labor while
protecting their rights as children.

Conventionalize the initiatives against child labor to ensure success and better
implementation of laws and policies.

Establish programs within laws and policies attributed and associated to child labor in
order to proceed to a more national level, wherein all cities and provinces will be able to
access the programs and initiatives.[33]

Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program[edit]

For further progression in child labor elimination, DOLE established a program called Child
Labor Prevention and Elimination Program. To be consistent with the PPACL framework, the
objectives of the programs was founded on the framework to promote consistency and
efficiency in combating child labor. Its five initiatives are as follows:

The Child Labor Knowledge Sharing System was created with updated information and
resources contributed by 300 and counting users.

The partnerships were strengthened through restructuring the National Child Labor
Committee and its sub-committees, and creating the Sagip Batang Manggagawa Quick
Action Team and other initiatives to focus on strengthening the regional committees.

They provided authentic and effective service through projects such as Kabuhayan para
sa Magulang ng Batang Manggagawa (KASAMA) Project, Project Angel Tree,
Eliminating Child Labor in the Tobacco Industry (ECLTI) Project, and Integrated Services
for Migratory Sugar Workers (I-SERVE SACADAS) Project.

They strengthened campaigns and intensified implemented projects to promote the

normalization of a child labor-free environment.

Guided by the laws and policies enforced, the programs aided in working through the
cases and provided legal actions such as creating the Working Childs Permit and
closing establishments that promote child labor.[34]

Child Labor-Free Barangays[edit]

Consistent with the PPACL framework, the project Child Labor-Free Barangay aims what the
name insinuates: eliminate child labor in every barangay in every country. Each labor-free
barangay will be given a three-year certification and endorsement to DOLE programs once

the barangay has completed the criteria and other requirements and submitted the proper
documents in being enlisted as child labor-free. They should also have at least four
agencies working within their area in order to promote child protection. [35]
HELP ME Convergence Program Against Child Labor[edit]
HELP ME Convergence Program Against Child Labor mainly aims to provide converged strategies
to address issues concerning child labor. HELP ME stands for: H for Health services; E for Education
and training, L for Livelihood opportunities for people involved; P for Prevention, protection, and
prosecution; M for Monitoring; and lastly, E for Evaluation. It is founded by Cabinet's Human
Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster (HDPRC) together with President Benigno S. Aquino
III., Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Social Welfare and Development. The
whole program will keep in line through the following objectives: keeping a monitoring system for the
child laborers and the services provided to them, delivering services fitting to the situations of the
child laborers, and finally, collaborating with different departments and program partners such as
DOLE, DSWD, DepEd, DOH, DILG, DA, DOJ, TESDA, NEDA, CWC, PIA and NCIP.
This convergence program was implemented in the period of 2013 to 2016 with the proposed budget
of 9 billion, hoping that by the end of the project, child labor will be eliminated by 75%, or more
specifically, to move out at least 893,000 children from the worst forms of child labor.[37]
Project Angel Tree[edit]
Introduced by the Bureau of Women and Young Workers, the Project Angel Tree works as a
connection for child laborers and those stakeholders who wish to collaboratively partake in
protecting their rights. This project also contributes to the program Child Labor Prevention and
Elimination Program. The primary objective of the project is to create an Angel Tree Community,
wherein Angels, which are the donors and contributors, grant the wishes of the child laborers. The
Angel Tree itself is an image for the cause, wherein it is targeted that through this project, the Angels
will continue to bear fruit for the children who need them. They call this system value networks,
where through them, positive social interaction would be formed and child laborers would be granted
access to resources.
In 2010, Project Angel Tree has already helped 15,902 victims of child labor in the country.[38]
Philippine National Strategic Framework for Plan Development for Children [edit]
Philippine National Strategic Framework for Plan Development for Children, otherwise known as
Child 21, serves as a guide for initiatives and programs established to promote and protect the rights

of the children. The framework includes different activities and strategies in order to provide childfriendly environments, education, protection from threats including sexual exploitation, child labor,
and child-trafficking, and other modes of development for the children.[39]

Secondary Agencies[edit]
Department of Social Welfare and Development[edit]
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the government agency who
provides direction to the intermediaries and implementers concerned with the delivery and
development of social welfare and development services. They also develop and enrich existing
programs and services for specific groups which includes the children and youth. [40] They hold Child
Protection Services in which they reach out on the children for them to recover from the experience
of labor and be reintegrated back to their families. They also have Therapeutic Services for the
Abused Children for the children to overcome the negative effects of abuse and for them to be able
to live a normal and productive life by maximizing every potential a child has. [41] Aside from their
services, they are working together with DOLE in H.E.L.P. M.E.
Council for the Welfare of Children[edit]
The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) actively advocates against trafficking of children.
They incorporate issues and concerns affecting trafficking in children in its development and
strategic frameworks and ensures the adoption of such by the LGUs and other stakeholders. [42] They
do not directly implement programs for the children; they facilitate or support other agencies and
service providers through activities that are in line with their functions. [43]

Non-Government Organizations[edit]

Kamalayan Development Foundation[edit]

In 1995-1997, with the help of International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Childrens
Fund (UNICEF), Kamalayan Development Foundation progressed from Kamalayan Development
Center through establishing anti-child recruitment agencies in Davao City, Cebu City, and Ormoc
City. This started numerous initiatives which granted children freedom from work enslavement. The
organization founded rescue operations, participated in governmental and international campaigns
and advocacy activities, imprisoned child labors, and finally, identified and rescued child laborers in
plantations, factories, prostitution facilities, and other exploitative locations.The Kamalayan
Development Foundation seeks to expand nationwide through the continuous support of ILO. [44]

Visayan Forum Foundation Inc.[edit]

As a child laborer herself, Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda spearheaded the Visayan Forum Foundation
Inc. (VFI) in order to eradicate slavery and human trafficking. Its actions revolve around providing
residential care to victims, mainly women and children, of difficult circumstances such as exploitation
and child labor. The organization has established programs such as:

Centers of Hope: These are safe houses that aim to provide protection and shelter to girlchildren and women victims.

iFight Movement: This movement seeks to train, equip, and empower the youth with a better
mentality for change and information on fighting against human trafficking.

Policy and Advocacy Resource Center: This provides volunteers and partners a space to
share information in order to develop the current campaigns and update information on the
current environment on human trafficking and domestic work.

Ventures for Freedom: This educates and provides communities innovative strategies in
order to stray away from the possibility of human trafficking and domestic work, tackling the
cause to prevent the problem from progressing.[45]

International Partnerships[edit]

International Labor Organization[edit]

In 1948, the Philippines joined the International Labor Organization (ILO) and has remained one of
the active participants in its advocacy. As the country face problems on employment, more
specifically, child labor, the partnership paved way to projects that will help in the elimination of child
labor. The organization supports the country through promoting growth and developing their skills
through quality education, especially for the children who remain victims to employment.
Its social partners include the DOLE, employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Alliance of
Progressive Labor (APL), Associated Labor Unions-TUCP (ALU-TUCP), Federation of Free Workers
(FFW), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) and
Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).[46]
International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour[edit]
International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) varies from one country after
another, dependent on the current situations of child labor persisting in the country specified. It aims

to eliminate child labor in its different sectors, such as direct action, advocacy and awareness,
institutional development, social services and poverty alleviation, and legislation and policy
development. The following are the projects ILO has established through IPEC:

Programme to Combat Child Labour in the Fishing Sector in Indonesia and the Philippines
(1999-2004)

Programme to Combat Child Labour in the Footwear Sector in South-East Asia (Phase I)
(1999-2004)

Assessing the Situation of Children in the Production, Sales, and Trafficking of Drugs in
Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand (2002-2004)

Supporting the Time-Bound Programme on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child
Labour in the Republic of the Philippines (2002-2006)

Prevention and Reintegration of Children Involved in Armed Conflict: An Inter-Regional

Project The Philippine Component (2003-2006)

Towards a Child Labour-free Philippines: Building on Past Gains and Addressing Challenges
(2011-2013)[47]

ChildFund Philippines[edit]
In 1971, ChildFund began by partnering with religious organizations, and eventually, the
communities in the Philippines. The organization helps secure the future of children vulnerable to
exploitation, child labour, and other causes, and builds a community that would ensure their safety
and protection. Each year, they contribute $8 million to their partnerships worldwide, including the
Philippines, directly helping 250,000 children and counting.
ChildFund is notable for two projects: Child Protection Committees (CPCs), wherein they protect
children from dangerous and harmful acts such as bullying, child abuse, exploitation, and other
measures in schools. Another would be the Conditional Socialized Education Assistance: Provide
educational assistance to children who face inabilities to meet their educational needs.
Currently, their target provinces are: Ifugao, Benguet, Baguio City, Mountain Province, Quezon,
Batangas, Laguna, National Capital Region (Metro Manila), Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Iloilo,
Negros Occidental, Cebu, Ormoc, Misamis Oriental, North Cotobato, South Cotobato, Cotobato,
Maguindanao, Sulu, Zamboanga del Norte.[48]

World Vision Development Foundation, Inc.[edit]

World Vision Development Foundation Inc. performs through partnering with Christians all over the
world to seek justice and promote human welfare through various activities and programs such as
spreading awareness, changing unjust structures, and transforming the youth by encouraging
involvement and protecting their rights. The partnership with organization started when its founder,
Robert Willard Pierce, initiated the China Challenge, which led to sponsoring and caring for the poor
and needy. It first helped an orphanage called The Good Shepherds Fold in 1957, and since then, it
has continued to move to foster a healthy environment for the children and their families. [49]
ABK3 LEAP[edit]
Pag-Aaral ng Bata para sa Kinabukasan (ABK) LEAP Livelihoods, Education, Advocacy and
Protection to Reduce Child Labor in Sugarcane Areas is the third phase of the ABK Initiative that
aims to withdraw children from exploitative labor. In four years, 2011-2015, ABK3 LEAP intends to
provide education, raise awareness, support research, contribute to the continuous development,
and support data collection on child labor. The project mainly focuses on 11 provinces, namely
Batangas, Bukidnon, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Cebu, Davao del Sur, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental,
Negros Oriental, and North Cotabato. It targets to provide for 52,000 children at ages 517 years old
and 25,000 households.
The project is implemented by the following organizations: World Vision Development Foundation
Inc., ChiWorld Vision Development Foundation, Inc. ChildFund Philippines, Educational Research
and Development Assistance Foundation, Inc. (ERDA), Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI),
Community Economic Ventures, Inc. (CEVI), and University of the Philippines Social Action and
Research for Development Foundation (UPSARDF).[50]