Region 6 Director Ponciano Ligutom of the Department of Labor and Employment said yesterday that there is a need to strengthen the Regional Coordinating Council for Child Labor, Illegal Recruitment and traffickingin Western Visayas.

The roles and functions of the member-agencies should be revised and clarified, Ligutom said at a recent meeting with the RCCCLIRT.

He said there is confusion, especially in apprehending illegal recruiters and traffickers who attempt to transport workers, specifically migratory sugar workers or sacadas, to other areas within and outside Western Visayas.

He added that the Council experienced some setbacks in 2014, especially in entrapment activities, because the members of the council did not know their roles and functions.

Meanwhile, it was agreed during the meeting with the members of RCCCLIRT that a separate one with heads of concerned agencies be held, in collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority and the local government of Dumangas town in Iloilo, to review the roles and functions of each member-agency.

The research conducted by the International Labor Organization shows that, of the Philippine population of 88.6 million in 2007, 29.5 per cent live below the Asian Poverty Line (APL) of US$ 1.35 a day and many, even not all poor families, see child labor as a way to cope with meager family incomes. This is evident in working children aged 5-17 in the country.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2011-133 for local legislation to address child labor initiatives.*APN

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