Manila: In a significant move to combat child labor and promote education, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) has partnered with the local government of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. The collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed on Friday for the implementation of the SHIELD Against Child Labor Program.

According to Philippines News Agency, the MOA aims to reinforce partnerships and uphold shared responsibility in fostering child protection and development. As part of this initiative, 26 former child laborers and their parents were granted PHP5,000 each in educational assistance during the signing ceremony.

The DSWD-13 emphasized that the financial aid is intended to support the education of these former child laborers and diminish their susceptibility to child labor. The assistance also acts as an immediate measure to alleviate schooling expenses and encourages consistent school attendance among students.

Esperanza Mayor Deo Manpatilan Jr. expressed his unwavering support for the program and his dedication to aiding the children's educational pursuits. He acknowledged that poverty is a major factor contributing to child labor and pledged that the municipality of Esperanza will undertake actions to provide families with the necessary opportunities and resources.

The DSWD-13 highlighted that the SHIELD Against Child Labor Program unites government entities, local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations, and communities in a joint endeavor to establish a society free of child labor.