To cap off the celebration of the National Children’s Month, the Department of Labor and Employment, through its Batangas Provincial Office (DOLE-BPO) with the Local Government Unit of Calatagan and the generous sponsors and donors held its annual Project Angel Tree at Calatagan Municipal Gymnasium last December 9.

A total of sixty-four (64) child laborers with their parents received early Christmas presents from the program partners, who provided them with meal packs, sacks of rice, Noche Buena packages, school supplies, cereals, and boxes of milk.

During the program, DOLE-BPO employees facilitated games and other activities with the children. Filled with joy, Ms. Beverly Lagrisola, the mother of one of the beneficiaries, shared that the gift packs served as an early holiday present for their family. “Sobrang saya po. Hindi po mabibili po ng kahit ano ‘yung saya pong nararamdaman,” she shared.

This year, DOLE-BPO welcomed Dr. Michael Cayetano as one of the newest donors of Project Angel Tree, who pledged to sponsor the educational need of three child laborers from Calatagan.
Dr. Cayetano hopes that the provision of the scholarship can cover the educational needs of the selected children and eventually remove them from the worst forms of child labor. “Napili natin ang scholarship unang una kasi alam naman nating hirap ang ating mga kasamahan, ang ating mga kababayan dito sa Batangas lalo na ‘yung mga working mother, ‘yung mga single parent. So naisip natin na magbigay ng konting assistance para sa kanilang education, alam naman natin na itong mga batang ito ay matatalino, first honor. Hopefully, ‘yung kaunti natin maitutulong ay magamit nila sa kanilang pag-aaral at matapos nila ang kanilang pag-aaral at makapag-college,” Dr. Cayetano explained.

Ms. Gregoria Tolareza, a solo parent, expressed her utmost gratitude to Dr. Cayetano. “Ako po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa kanya sana po ay bigyan pa s’ya ng marami pang blessing para marami pa s’yang matulungan,”. Despite their financial struggles, Ms. Tolareza shared that his son performs well in school and hopes to finish his studies someday.

Another solo parent, Mr. Dominador Mabaquiao, said that the scholarship grant will greatly help support his child’s education. “Parang hindi ako makapaniwala na nakasama po ang aking anak na scholar. Kahit papaano po ay malaking tulong po ‘yun sa akin katulad ko po na single parent na nagpapaaral po sa kanila. ‘Yun po ang hinihiling ko po sa Panginoon na matulungan din po kami. So, ayun nagpapasalamat din po ako sa Panginoon na pinakinggan po ang aking dasal,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, for Ms. Julita Paulito, the scholarship will help aid her child’s studies, as her husband, a fisherman, does not have stable income. “Kasi po ‘yung anak ko po ay sumasama sa papa n’ya pangingisda, sa paglalambat po nila. Malaking malaki po talaga ang scholarship para po sa amin kasi po kapag malakas ang hangin, may bagyo, hindi po s’ya nakakasama, hindi po namin pinapayagang sumama sa dagat lalo na po ‘yung asawa ko rin minsan. Syempre po ‘pag malakas po, hindi po talaga sila nakakapagdagat kaya napakalaking tulong talaga ng scholarship na ‘yan” she shared.

Recipients of the scholarship will receive quarterly educational assistance from Dr. Cayetano. This will be in the form of cash.

DOLE-BPO validated the beneficiaries of this year’s Project Angel Tree. “Ang napili naming beneficiaries this year ay yung mga bata, aged 9-17, na mostly engaged sa farming, construction at fishing activities. Ito po ay sa kadahilanan na alam natin yung bigat, pagod at syempre yung hazard sa line ng mga trabahong ito, especially yung mga bata natin na sumasama sa pangingisda.” Ms. Ricaela Salazar, DOLE-BPO Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) Community Facilitator conveyed.

DOLE-BPO Senior Labor and Employment Officer, Mr. Darius Allan B. Lubis expressed his sincere appreciation to all twelve (12) companies and three (3) individuals, who served as partners, donors, and sponsors this year and took part in the gift-giving in Calatagan.“Ako’y natutuwa dahil sa regular gift-giving natin ay mas marami ngayon ang nakasama doon. Tapos, mayroon tayong educational assistance sa mga deserving students. ‘Yun ang para sa akin ang naging milestone tapos nagsignify pa ng intent na i-continue ng other sponsor na hindi lamang pala dito pwede tumulong para mas long-term,” he expressed.

Project Angel Tree is a gift-giving activity of the Department that aims to grant the wishes and needs of the child laborers through the sponsorship of program partners dubbed as “angels”. Through the project, DOLE-BPO seeks to spark hope and joy in every child laborer, especially this Christmas season.


by:

APRIL ROSE N. MAGPANTAY
LEO III