Some children are engaged in risky deep-sea fishing in Bulalacao, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Mimaropa revealed.

Director Zen Angara of DOLE Mimaropa disclosed that the children are engaged in “pangulong” (bamboo gear fishing), a type of deep-sea fishing which poses risk to their safety and health.

Angara cited Barangay Tabuk, a coastal barangay in Bulalacao, as an example where the primary source of living of each family is fishing.

Due to poverty, she said that even children are compelled to work in the village, preventing them from attending school as a result.

“Barangay Tabuk is only one of the barangays in Bulalacao wherein children are at risk,” Angara said.

To address this, DOLE Mimaropa organized an advocacy activity against child labor dubbed “Suportahan, Iangat, Gabayan Ang Welfare ng Kabataan (SIGAW Kabataan)” in Bulalacao.

Eighty-two participants from various sectors joined the SIGAW Kabataan advocacy activity.

Angara said the advocacy project on child labor intends to enhance the community’s awareness and sensibility to the needs of children.

It also aims to make people, particularly teachers and parents, realize the potentials of children in solving problems in their environment, Angara said.

In the same activity, action plans on anti-child labor programs were created.

As part of the activity, DOLE oriented the participants from the Philippine National Police, Municipal Social Welfare Development Office, parents and children, owners of ‘pangulong’ and other government officials on the children’s rights, child labor, laws and other DOLE programs.

The participants later affixed their signatures on a streamer bearing the slogan “One Signature – one individual – one person to fight against child labor.”