Children deserve to play: from sugarcane fields to volleyball and football pitches
Fun in the sun was what 167 former child labourers from ILO Interntational Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) areas in Bukidnon had on 11-12 July as part of the province’s celebration of the World Day against Child Labour.
1 August 2013
By Hector Tuburan Jr, IPEC Provincial Coordinator - Bukidnon
Fun in the sun was what 167 former child labourers from ILO-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour areas in Bukidnon had on 11-12 July as part of the province’s celebration of the World Day against Child Labour.
The two-day event participated by 105 boys and 62 girls were from the municipalities and cities of Quezon, Maramag, Malaybalay and Valencia. It was a friendly competition on sports, literary and talent held at the Kaamulan Theatre and the Provincial Capitol Ground football field.
“Nalipay kaayo ko ug akong mga kauban kay naka apil mi sa sports ug talent competition. First time nako nag dulag volleyball ug salamat kaayo sa among District ALS Coordinator na gitagaan niya kog shoes para maka join ko diri kauban sa ubang mga bata sa pag celebrate aning World Day agaist Child Labour” (I am so happy that I was able to join this sports and talent competition. This is my first time to play volleyball and thanks to our District ALS Coordinator for giving me a pair of shoes so that I can join the other kids in celebrating this World Day against Child Labour),” said Romeo Sapra, 16 years old, former child labourer from Purok 6, San Jose, Malaybalay City.
Delegates from the Municipality of Quezon garnered the highest points and declared overall winner followed by Maramag, Malaybalay City and Valencia City as first, second and third runners up, respectively.
Mr Arsenio Alagenio, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer and Chair of the Provincial Child Labour Committee (PCLC) said the activity aimed to provide an avenue for the former child labourer beneficiaries to demonstrate their talents and skills in sports and literary competition and to mainstream these children in need of special protection in the society. “We are planning to conduct this type of activity annually as part of our advocacy to work together in combating child labour in the province,” he added.
Mr Alagenio also expressed his gratitude to the Department of Education of Malaybalay City, Valencia City and Bukidnon for their full support in the elimination of child labour incidence in the province through peer counselling, tutorial services and home visits.
The ILO-IPEC supported the celebration through financial and technical assistance.
Fun in the sun was what 167 former child labourers from ILO-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour areas in Bukidnon had on 11-12 July as part of the province’s celebration of the World Day against Child Labour.
| © ILO-IPEC 2013 |
“Nalipay kaayo ko ug akong mga kauban kay naka apil mi sa sports ug talent competition. First time nako nag dulag volleyball ug salamat kaayo sa among District ALS Coordinator na gitagaan niya kog shoes para maka join ko diri kauban sa ubang mga bata sa pag celebrate aning World Day agaist Child Labour” (I am so happy that I was able to join this sports and talent competition. This is my first time to play volleyball and thanks to our District ALS Coordinator for giving me a pair of shoes so that I can join the other kids in celebrating this World Day against Child Labour),” said Romeo Sapra, 16 years old, former child labourer from Purok 6, San Jose, Malaybalay City.
Delegates from the Municipality of Quezon garnered the highest points and declared overall winner followed by Maramag, Malaybalay City and Valencia City as first, second and third runners up, respectively.
Mr Arsenio Alagenio, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer and Chair of the Provincial Child Labour Committee (PCLC) said the activity aimed to provide an avenue for the former child labourer beneficiaries to demonstrate their talents and skills in sports and literary competition and to mainstream these children in need of special protection in the society. “We are planning to conduct this type of activity annually as part of our advocacy to work together in combating child labour in the province,” he added.
Mr Alagenio also expressed his gratitude to the Department of Education of Malaybalay City, Valencia City and Bukidnon for their full support in the elimination of child labour incidence in the province through peer counselling, tutorial services and home visits.
The ILO-IPEC supported the celebration through financial and technical assistance.