IN support of the government’s effort to end child exploitation in the city, Council’s committee on labor and employment chair Councilor Joyleen Mercedes Balaba on Monday said she continued to intensify her campaign to eliminate this social ill through various initiatives.

Balaba’s campaign with the City Council even passed an ordinance that authorized the City Mayor Rolando " Klarex” Uy to sign the Deed of Donation (DODA) with World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. covering various supplies and equipment donated to the city government.

According to Balaba, the DSWD, and World Vision Development Foundation Inc. also signed a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of Project Against Child Exploitation (ACE).

Project ACE is a three-year child welfare protection project in Northern Mindanao and Metro Manila.

“This aims to further strengthen the capacity of our social workers and other stakeholders to address the worst forms of child labor, including online, sexual exploitation of children,” said Balaba.

Balaba’s efforts are also in compliance with Republic Act No. 9231 or the Anti-Child Labor Law.

She said with the social welfare and development department, the city government has started the implementation of the Strategic Help Desks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) against child labor. 

“Through this ordinance we will accommodate all the donations intended for project ACE, covering various supplies and equipment donated to the city government,” Balaba explained adding that this is also to strengthen the programs and services in addressing child labor-related concerns at the local level.

"Project ACE will adopt DSWD's SHIELD against child labor," said Balaba.

The DSWD defined the project as a ground to improve the enforcement of the legal framework in addressing the worst forms of child labor including online sexual exploitation of children and violations of acceptable conditions of work, to enhance services, and to assist survivors.

World Vision places children at the center of everything we do. We help transform communities for children to thrive and fulfill their dreams. 

"We empower children to realize their rights and encourage families to protect their children so their bright future cannot be stolen from them," she added.

Aside from Project ACE, the group according to Balaba has been creating educational programs and interventions for children involved in or transitioning in from child labor. 

"The donation will be used for the implementation of the DSWD’s SHIELD program in pilot areas," Balaba added.

The ordinance was sponsored by the committees on labor and employment and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Balaba and Ian Mark Q. Nacaya, respectively.