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Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Project Title

Combating Child Labor Through Education in the Philippines: The ABK Initiative

Region/Country

ASIA/Philippines

Project Duration

August 6, 2003 – July 31, 2008

Fiscal Year & Funding Level

FY2003 (FY2002 Appropriations): USD 5,003,427
Matching Funds: USD 2,786,937

Problem to be Addressed

The Government of the Philippines, the National Child Labor Committee, and other committed partners have made combating child labor a priority concern in the Philippines.  An estimated 4 million children aged 5-17, or 16.2 percent of the age group, were working in 2001.  About 60 percent, or 2.4 million, were engaged in hazardous work.  Many of those children are working in the worst forms of child labor (WFCL).

Results

The project withdrew 16,997 children and prevented 14,323 children from exploitive labor in sugar cane plantations, mining and quarrying, pyrotechnics production, deep-sea fishing, domestic work, and commercial sexual exploitation. The project was implemented in 6 regions of the Philippines, spanning a total of 8 provinces: Bulacan, Metro Manila, Camarines Norte, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, and Davao.

Project Objectives

Development Objective: To substantially reduce the engagement of children ages 5 to 17 years in the worst forms of child labor in 6 target regions through increased access, quality and relevance of basic education for working children and at-risk children.. 

Immediate objectives include:

  • Increase awareness of wide array of stakeholders to the importance of education and the negative effects of child labor;
  • Increase quality of and access to formal, transitional, and informal education programs;
  • Strengthen national institutions and policies on education and child labor; and
  • Establish alternative livelihood programs for families with children who are working, children at risk of working, and working children over 15 years.

 

Summary of Activities
  • Ensured the educational enrollment, persistence, and completion of children involved in, or at risk of entering, WFCL;
  • Raised awareness on child labor among children, families, teachers, and communities, and trained groups in advocacy;
  • Explored with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Education (DEPED) national awareness raising strategies;
  • Provided direct assistance for schools fees, uniforms and books to child workers and children at risk;
  • Worked with DEPED to expand or improve educational opportunities for working children; and
  • Established school-based monitoring system that included child labor and education watch.

Grantee

World Vision, Inc.

Implementing Partners

Christian Children’s Fund; ERDA; Plan International; and other local NGOs.

Contact Information

Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking (OCFT)

(202) 693-4843