Child labor refers to the illegal employment of children below 18 years old in hazardous occupations. Underage children are being forced to manual labor to help their families mainly due to poverty. About 2.06 million children all around the Philippines are compelled to do labor, such as in crop plantations, mining caves, rock quarries and factories.

Child labor has many ill effects in children who are supposed to be in the environment of a classroom rather than roaming the streets and risking every chance, time and time again, to earn enough money. Although most do get the privilege of education, most end up being dropouts and repeaters because they are not able to focus on their studies. Because of child labor, children suffer from malnutrition, hampered growth and improper biological development.

We regard the youth as the future movers of our country. They will inherit the pride and heritage which has been earned by the sweat, blood and tears of our ancestors. Thus, they must be entitled to the proper preparation to lead this country. And we firmly believe that in forcing these very children to give all of that up just to be able to put food on their families’ tables puts that same future in grave danger.

The government and society, in their own respectful way, are willing to aid in the solution of this problem. But it is a fact that it is not as simple as passing new laws but in the fortification of proper implementation. It is therefore imperative for all people of this nation voice out this concern and to be willing to truly usher in the solution of this ever-growing plight.