ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas has identified over 900 children either involved in or at risk of child labor from 2024 to 2025. The problem persists despite a marked decline from previous years.
According to DOLE, a total of 905 minors have been profiled so far, down significantly from the 16,200 recorded between 2018 and 2021. But while the drop in numbers is seen as a positive development, authorities emphasize the need to sustain rescue operations, community monitoring, and intervention programs to prevent resurgence.
DOLE defines child labor as any person under 18 years of age or any work or economic activity performed by a child that subjects him/her to any form of exploitation; or harmful to his/her health and safety or physical, mental or psychosocial development
Its prevalence can be attributed to factors such as financial instability, lack of access to education, family issues or responsibilities, and a lack of awareness about children’s rights.
“Most of them are working voluntarily to support their education, but this does not make it acceptable,” said Atty. Jorge Ferraris II, DOLE Region 6 officer-in-charge and chief of the Technical Support Service Division for Employment Promotions and Workers Welfare.
DOLE said that many of these children are engaged in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and domestic work — sectors that are among the most prone to abuse and exploitation.
As of May 31, 2025, 284 of them have already received livelihood assistance under DOLE’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP).
The regional breakdown of the 905 profiled cases includes: Antique (339), Iloilo (306), Negros Occidental (196), Aklan (40), Capiz (22), and Guimaras (2).
Many of the children identified have returned to school, a positive outcome attributed to the CLPEP.
By 2025, DOLE targets to validate and extend intervention to about 6,300 children in need across the region.
Under Philippine law, minors below 15 years old are prohibited from working, with limited exceptions such as family-run businesses or the entertainment industry, provided a Working Child Permit is issued.
Teenagers aged 15 to 18 years old may only be employed in non-hazardous environments with strict adherence to labor standards, and that also means under conditions that are not detrimental to their health, safety, and morals.
“Ang below 15, indi gid ni sila pwede makaubra, pero with some exemptions — for example, under the sole responsibility of the parents or in family-owned businesses. Ang mga child stars man nga may working child permit, covered sila sina,” Ferraris explained.
Work must not interfere with the child’s education, he stressed.
The DOLE also clarified that not all cases involve coercion.
“May mga times nga family nila or sila mismo ang gusto mag work because they want to earn for their education… Mas taas ang percentage sang minors nga gusto mag work on their own kaysa sa forced,” Ferraris noted.
Still, the agency stressed that regardless of intent, child labor deprives children of their rights and future opportunities.
“I want to address the parents in Region 6. One of the rights of the children is to avail quality education and to be free from work. That is what we advocate,” Ferraris added.
To combat the problem, DOLE continues to roll out various initiatives such as the Sagip Batang Manggagawa (SBM) rescue operations, the Project Angel Tree donation drives, and skills training and starter kits for parents to curb the economic push that drives families to send their children to work.
The agency also partners with local governments, nongovernment organizations, and law enforcement to enforce laws like Republic Acts (RAs) 7610 and 9231, which provide protection for children against abuse, hazardous work, and exploitation.
“By raising awareness, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation that forces children into work. We believe that protecting children from labor is not just a legal responsibility, but a moral one,” Ferraris emphasized.
RA 7610, also known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”, provides comprehensive protection for children against various forms of abuse and exploitation, including child labor. It specifically addresses the prohibition of the employment of children in hazardous work and other harmful activities.
RA 9231 amends RA 7610 and provides for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and affording stronger protection for the working child. It establishes regulations on the hours of work, conditions of employment, and the minimum age for employment./PN
