MOAFWC gives school and food packs to MisOcc child laborers

A total of 19 profiled child laborers of Barangay Poblacion of Sinacaban town were given with a complete pack of school supplies and a bag of food snacks just in time for the opening of classes under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE-X) Project Angel Tree by the Misamis Occidental Association of Family Welfare Committee (MOAFWC) on 23 August 2022, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental.

DOLE-X Misamis Occidental Provincial Field Office Chief Ebba Acosta said the gift-giving was in celebration of MOAFWC’s 12th founding anniversary. She was grateful to the following 12 association officers and members who supported the project under the Child Labor Protection and Prevention Program (CLPEP): (1) McDonald’s Ozamiz; (2) Jimenez Distribution Specialist Inc.; (3) Crown Paper and Stationeries; (4) Almar Freemile Financing Corporation; (5) Paglaum Multipurpose Cooperative; (6) Reynaldo’s Financing Services Corporation; (7) Alano & Sons Corporation; (8) Misamis University Medical Center; (9) Misamis University; (10) Osamco Inc.; (11) Junjing Construction; and (12) Misamis Occidental Electric Cooperative Inc.

Acosta advised the parents of the child laborers to support their children's education and to guide them in the appropriate path. She even recalled that she attributed her career success when she started young in selling fruits to her classmates just to augment her financial needs.

Hence, 10-year old child laborer beneficiary said, “Siguraduhon namo nga musulod nami ug klase and dili nami manarbaho. Nalipay kaayo mi sa inyong gihatag nga school supplies kay para dili nami mupalit. Salamat kaayo!”

[We will make sure that we will now attend classes and no longer work. We are very happy with the school supplies we received and has helped us for we will not buy anymore. Thank you so much!]

Moreover, MOAFWC assembled thereafter at Regalado's La Playa Azul, Panaon Municipality. McDonalds Ozamiz and Paglaum Multipurpose Cooperative presented their companies’ best practices on reduced absenteeism, tardiness and COVID-19 workplace safety protocols. They reported positive results like reduced job turnover, improved workforce and increased productivity.

MOAFWC President Cecille Dizon facilitated the short meeting discussing the association’s plan for another activity in relation to the ten dimensional goals of FWP before the end of the year. MOAFWC members also agreed to invite more interested establishments to be a part of their team.

Likewise, the child laborers were gathered thru the support of Municipal Councilor Gilbeys Jack Vente and Barangay Captain Lolita L. Nillo. They oriented the children on safety protocols like proper handwashing, observance of social distancing, proper wearing of face masks, and cough etiquette. A pack of masks and alcohol bottles were also provided by the association.

Project Angel Tree, a component of the DOLE CLPEP, provides an array of social services that range from food, clothing, educational assistance or school supplies, and even work and training opportunities made available by sponsors or benefactors (‘angels’) or the MOAFWC to child laborers and their families. It aims to improve the economic and social conditions of child laborers and their families and increase the number of allies and advocates of child labor prevention and elimination.

MOAFWC was organized by DOLE-X thru its Family Welfare Program (FWP). It seeks to introduce the concept of promoting the welfare of workers and their families as a key to workplace productivity and improved worker-management relations. It is an advocacy program that draws corporate support in promoting workers’ quality of life by adopting a family-centered approach in the workplace.