Duterte issues EO institutionalizing National Council Against Child Labor

September 27, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order institutionalizing the National Council Against Child Labor (NCCL).

EO No. 92, which Duterte inked on September 17 and a copy of which was released on Friday, aims to "upscale" the implementation of the Philippine program against child labor by reorganizing the National Child Labor Committee into NCCL.

The Department of Labor and Employment secretary acts as the chairperson, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary as co-chairperson.

The members of the Council include the secretaries of Departments of Education, Health, Interior and Local Government, Justice, Agriculture, and Environment and Natural Resources; of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; directors general of National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Also included are the executive director of Council for Welfare of Children; chairpersons of National Youth Commission and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; national statistician of the Philippine Statistics Authority; police director general of the Philippine National Police; director of the National Bureau of Investigation; and sectoral representative of the Basic Sector on Children, National Anti-Poverty Commission.

There will also be two representatives each from the workers, employers and non-government organizations with programs on child labor who will participate as members.

They will be nominated by the sectors themselves, for appointment by the President for a term of three years, without prejudice to reappointment.

Among the powers and functions of the Council include formulation of a framework, national action plan, and such other policies, guidelines and programs for the effective enforcement of Republic Act No. 7610 or the "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act," as amended, and other related laws and regulations; and coordination and overseeing the implementation of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL).

The EO also provided for regional and local councils for protection of children or related structures.

The Council is also tasked to establish and widely disseminate a mechanism by which the general public can easily report child labor incidence to  authorities.

The initial funding requirements for the implementation of the EO shall be charged against the current budget of the member-agencies of the Council.

For the succeeding years, the funding requirements shall be included in the respective budget proposals of each member agency.

The Council is also tasked to submit semi-annual reports to the President through the Executive Secretary of its operations and accomplishments to prevent and eliminate child labor.

The Order shall take effect immediately. Celerina Monte/DMS