In Negros Oriental, parents of child workers get aid

Negros Oriental map. INQUIRER FILES

DUMAGUETE CITY—The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Negros Oriental has allocated about P5 million in livelihood assistance for 210 parents of child laborers in the province this year.

Rubie Cempron, the agency’s provincial labor and employment officer 2, said the parents-beneficiaries were profiled since last year to determine their individual needs and requirements.

The program aims to remove these young workers from the sugarcane fields, business establishments and other workplaces in Negros Oriental, Cempron said in statement through the Philippine News Agency.

On Oct. 11, three parent-beneficiaries in Barangay Alangilanan of Manjuyod town received the first livelihood assistance for vegetable production. Among those distributed were seeds, fertilizers, insecticides and backpack sprayer to support their vegetable production.

Others beneficiaries will receive their aid soon as procurement of their respective desired livelihood based on their profile and evaluation are completed, Cempron added.

She said the amount of assistance for each parent varies, as some beneficiaries “preferred to improve their existing sources of income, such as running a “sari-sari” store.

—KAYE BRIER INQ