The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office IV-A, through its Rizal Provincial Office (DOLE-RPO) caps off the celebration of the 30th National Children's Month through a Fun Fest for fifty (50) profiled child laborers in the municipality of Taytay, on November 29, 2022.

The year’s theme is "Kalusugan, Kaisipan, at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!", in which the Department conducted an activity to give these children a fun morning filled with games and activities for them to enjoy. Most of the beneficiaries of this activity were identified children engaged in porting and harvesting of water spinach and scavenging which are categorized as hazardous types of work based on DOLE Department Order No. 149 series of 2016.

Provincial Director Marivic B. Martinez reminded the children that this is the time for them to enjoy themselves and be happy.

"Huwag muna ninyong isipin ang inyong pangangalakal o pangangangkong, magsaya kayo ngayong araw na ito," Martinez said.

Facilitated by the DOLE-RPO Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) Unit, the children participated in different games and relays such as The Boat is Sinking, Rock, Paper, Scissors, Balloon Relay, etc. which allowed them to socialize and connect with the other children.

After the game, each winning team and individual received prizes that they may use in their home or in school.

The children also enjoyed the raffle draw wherein some of them won their favorite snacks, food packages, hygiene kits, and tumblers.

In one of their activities, the children were asked to draw their ultimate dream. Many of them dreamed to be a police officer or a doctor, while others want to have their own house or to graduate from school.

For "JJ"*, the reason why he drew himself wearing a toga is because he believed that through finishing his studies, he can help his family to have a comfortable life. At the age of 10, JJ experienced porting tens of kilos of water spinach from the river to the transport vehicle.

At the end of the Fun Fest, the children received a bag of school supplies that they could use in their studies. Each bag contains notebooks, ballpen, coloring materials, scissors, ruler, and pencil. They also received a cloth face mask for their personal use.

Taytay Public Employment Service Office Manager Gina Pineda commended the efforts of the Department for the activity.

"Palakpakan natin ang DOLE! Dahil sa kanila, nabigyan ng pag-asa na muling maging bata ang mga bata," Pineda said.


by:


FLINT OSRIC T. GOROSPE
Community Facilitator


CHARMAINE D. BAISA
LEO III