During the monthly media forum, Isyu Karon, at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, DSWD-11 Child Labor Focal Person Hannah Princess M. Taguinod said the program seeks to help struggling households achieve financial independence so children can focus on their education instead of earning money for their families.
“We are working to eliminate child labor by providing livelihood assistance to the children and their families,” Taguinod said.
Through the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood and other Developmental Services (SHIELD) Program, DSWD personnel visit identified child laborers and their families to assess their living conditions and understand the factors that compel minors to work.
“Our role is to augment and support them until they can stand on their own. Once they become self-sufficient, that is the time we can gradually pull out our assistance,” she said.
Taguinod noted that some children are forced to become breadwinners, particularly in households where parents are sick or unable to provide for the family's daily needs.
Data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed that the Davao Region had 3,819 recorded child laborers in 2025. BuyMaps
Taguinod warned that the number could rise this year as inflation and increasing prices of basic commodities continue to put pressure on low-income families.
She also expressed concern that younger siblings could be influenced to work after seeing their older brothers or sisters earn money to help sustain their households.
Of the six areas in the region, Davao de Oro recorded the highest number of child laborers in 2025 with 1,108, followed by Davao City with 880, Davao Oriental with 617, Davao Occidental with 553, Davao del Norte with 433, and Davao del Sur with 228. BuyMaps
Through the SHIELD Program, DSWD-11 aims to provide vulnerable households with livelihood opportunities and other developmental interventions to address the economic circumstances that contribute to child labor.
The initiative is intended to help families become self-reliant and ensure that children are given the opportunity to leave work and prioritize their education, safety, and well-being.
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