MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Quezon City has approved two ordinances that will combat child labor.
In a press release on Saturday, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that these two ordinances will improve the fight against child labor, which is targeted to be eradicated from the city.
“Sa tulong ng dalawang Ordinansang ito, mapapaigting pa natin ang laban kontra child labor na matagal na nating nais tuldukan dito sa Quezon City,” said Belmonte, a staunch advocate against the exploitation of children.
Ordinance No. SP-3214, S-2023 will ban the employment of children below 15 years, except in cases where the child works under the sole responsibility of his or her parents or legal guardians and where only members of his or her family are employed.
The exemption will also extend to children working in media sectors such as television, radio, and theater.
The ordinance will also mandate the city’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) to work with the Social Services Development Department to provide livelihood aid for parents and family members of child laborers.
Violators can be penalized by fines, jail terms, or revocation of permits.
Meanwhile, Ordinance No. SP-3201, S-2023 will create a Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) under the city’s PESO.
The program will conduct an advocacy campaign and information dissemination on child labor, and it will also conduct research for program assessment and improvements.
According to Belmonte, there are 5,449 boys and 4,773 girls who are victims of child labor in Quezon City as of the last quarter of 2022.
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