BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. (WVDF), a non-government organization, in partnership with other stakeholders, strives to eliminate child labor in the Cordillera region and ensure that the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience the fullness of life.
Launched on February 1, 2024, the Child Labor-Effective Awareness and Response in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CLEAR CAR) Project aims to have stakeholders implement effective and responsive policies, programs and approaches to address child labor and attain improved protective and productive capacities of child laborers and families.
The CLEAR CAR is a three-year project co-funded by the European Union and executed by the WVDF and Lingap Pangkabataan, Inc. with the World Vision Canada and World Vision Ireland.
“Ang pinaka-aim po nito is to support ‘yung national effort ng ating government to eliminate the worst forms of child labor including online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) and violations of acceptable working conditions in the Philippines,” Lea Paspas, Livelihood Officer of WVDF said.
The project focuses on 14 municipalities in three provinces in the region, namely; Buguias, Itogon, Kibungan, La Trinidad, and Tuba in Benguet including Baguio City; Banaue, Lagawe, Alfonso Lista, and Lamut in Ifugao; and Bontoc, Natonin, Paracelis, Sadanga, and Sagada in Mountain Province.
Paspas explained that a series of processes were considered in the selection of the areas including accessibility.
“We aim na matulungan ang mga involved sa child labor, ito ‘yung direct na makapagbigay tayo ng support sa mga families nila and also sa mga bata kung ano ‘yung need nila para makabalik ng school and hindi na ulit bumalik sa child labor para sa ganun ay magkaroon din po sila ng mas maayos na buhay when they grow up,” Paspas said.
She said that in partnership with various stakeholders including government agencies and the local government units, they reach out to children engaged in child labor.
Paspas said that they already have conducted consultative meetings with the local chief executives and local council for the protection of children in the target municipalities. They were also able to sign a memorandum of agreement with the concerned LGUs.**Debbie Gasingan
