The Cavite Project Angel Tree celebrated its 15th year since its launch in the province last 2007. The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office IV-A, through its Cavite Provincial Office (DOLE-CPO) facilitated the annual Christmas Gift-Giving Activity held on 14 December 2022 at The Farm Green and Saddle Resort at Amuntay Road, Brgy. Zone 3, Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
This year, the Cavite Project Angel Tree has forty (40) child beneficiaries. The said children came from five (5) cities and municipalities, namely: Bacoor, Rosario, Kawit, Noveleta and Cavite City. All these children were included in the child labor profiling in 2022 conducted by the community facilitator and enumerators of DOLE-CPO.
Engr. Joseph P. Gacosta, Officer-in-Charge of DOLE-CPO welcomed the guests and children in his opening message, he further extended his gratitude to all the program partners from private sectors for their continuous and untiring support to all the advocacies of DOLE under its Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP). Engr. Gacosta emphasized that the annual gift-giving activity under the Project Angel Tree will not be possible without the commitment, assistance, and support from the program partners.
DOLE CALABARZON Regional Director Atty. Ma. Karina B. Perida-Trayvilla, also present during the activity, shared a background of DOLE’s CLPEP. She also provided a situationer of child labor cases in the Philippines. She mentioned that Region IV-A is included in the Top 5 Regions with the most number of child labor cases. “Pangarap natin na Isang Milyong Batang Malaya ang maiahon sa sitwasyon na sila ay nag-eengage sa child labor”. RD Trayvilla as she explained the branding “Batang Malaya”.
Furthermore, RD Trayvilla also stated that DOLE had a hard time finding child laborers in the survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This dilemma was resolved by the Nationwide Child Labor Profiling being conducted by the community facilitators and enumerators of DOLE. “Yung dating numero lang, nabigyan ng mukha, nabigyan ng pangalan at nabigyan ng needs assessment. At sa aming pag-profiling, aming nakita na not all are driven by poverty. Ang iba sa kanila, ang primary purpose is to help their families which is a very matured thinking na tumulong at maglagay ng pagkain sa hapag” she added.
During the last part of her message, RD Trayvilla also extended her gratitude for the program partners, community facilitator, focal persons and enumerators who made Project Angel Tree a very meaningful part of the children’s lives. “Hindi posibleng DOLE at ibang government agencies lang, dapat whole of nation approach dahil it really takes a village to raise a child”
She then reminded all the children to value education by continuous learning and schooling.
Games, raffle and intermission numbers were also part of the program to provide entertainment and memorable fun.
Twenty-three (23) program partners from the private sectors and socio-civic organizations dubbed as the “angels” or sponsors of the children beneficiaries received Certificates of Recognition from DOLE-CPO for their continuous commitment and support to all undertakings of DOLE under the CLPEP, specifically to the Cavite Project Angel Tree. Afterwards, children and their family received gifts that varied with grocery items, food packs, school supplies, hygiene kits, etc.
“Chelsea”, a 7-year-old child beneficiary from Cavite City who is engaged in “pamamasura at pangangalakal” expressed her joy and appreciation to DOLE-CPO and to all program partners who really made her Christmas the merriest. All the presents given to her were a big help and assistance for her family. “Maraming salamat po at Merry Christmas, Happy New Year”, she exclaimed.
By:
MA. ANGELIQUE E. YAUN
Senior LEO/Labor Iniformation Officer
