ChildFund Philippines and Department of Labor and Employment Join Forces with Robinsons Mall Tagum to Launch Billboard Campaign to End Child Labor in Davao del Norte
Davao del Norte, Philippines – In a groundbreaking effort to combat child labor, ChildFund Philippines, Kaanib Foundation Inc. and the Department of Labor and Employment have partnered with Robinsons Mall Tagum to launch a powerful billboard campaign on June 17, Saturday.
This initiative marks the first step in a series of impactful measures aimed at eliminating child labor in the region and fostering child labor-free communities, where children can grow up healthy, educated, skilled, and safe.
The billboard carrying the message of commitment from Davao del Norte is strategically positioned in a high-visibility area to raise awareness, mobilize support, engage stakeholders, and galvanize collective action to address the pressing social issue.
Anand Vishwakarma, Country Director of ChildFund Philippines, in his speech, emphasized that the event would not have been possible without the “remarkable collaboration” among different stakeholders including the local government unit.
“We come together not only to unveil these billboards but also to shine a light on the issue of child labor,” said Vishwakarma.
“This billboard will serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to eradicate child labor and create a society where every child can enjoy their rightful childhood.”
The campaign is an integral part of the larger Project Sustainable Programs for Education, Advocacies, and Knowledge or Project SPEAK. The two-year project funded by the European Union seeks to implement sustainable community-based programs that create awareness, promote a better understanding of child labor, enact relevant government policies, and establish efficient reporting, referral, and response mechanisms against child labor in three provinces in Mindanao.
“The billboard is a great way to get our message out there and raise awareness about Project SPEAK and our work in combatting child labor,” said Jules Lunar, Business Development Manager of ChildFund Philippines.
“Putting our cause front and center can spark conversations and encourage others to get involved – to SPEAK.“
ChildFund Philippines has long been deeply concerned about the child labor situation in the Philippines. According to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2020, an alarming 872,300 children aged 5 to 17 years old are engaged in child labor. These numbers highlight the urgent need for concerted efforts to protect the rights and well-being of children and provide them with opportunities for a brighter future.
As the campaign gains momentum and subsequent billboards are unveiled, ChildFund Philippines hopes to reach more communities and further spread awareness on the issue of child labor. The billboard campaign will also be rolled out in Cagayan de Oro and Kidapawan City.
“The campaign symbolizes the power of collaboration, awareness, and unwavering commitment,” said Alvin Dumduma, Project Coordinator of ChildFund Philippines.
“By raising awareness, encouraging dialogue, and fostering partnerships, the campaign aspires to transform mindsets, policies, and systems to protect the rights of children in Davao del Norte and beyond,” he concluded.
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About ChildFund Philippines
ChildFund Philippines is a child-focused NGO serving children, youth, and their families in the Philippines since the 1970s. We are a program office of ChildFund International, a global not-for-profit organization with the primary purpose of helping children break the generational cycle of poverty and achieve their full potential. ChildFund Philippines works alongside 11 local partners in 21 provinces in the country to ensure that children and youth are safe, healthy, educated, and skilled. One of our primary advocacies is on promoting children’s and youths’ rights and eliminating child labor.
