Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) renewed its call for collective action to save Filipino children from labor: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated its appeal for a unified effort to protect Filipino children from the perils of child labor.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez emphasized the importance of ensuring fair opportunities for children to learn, grow, and enjoy their childhood, free from the burdens of work. In a recent news release, Romualdez highlighted the observance of the World Day Against Child Labor, stressing that protecting children from labor exploitation is a responsibility shared by the entire nation and society.

The DSWD has been actively implementing the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and Other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) program. This initiative offers holistic and immediate support at the community level to child laborers and their families. The program's interventions encompass case management, educational and livelihood assistance, and referrals to other government agencies, aiming to address the root causes of child labor.

Romualdez further stated that through the SHIELD program and broader social protection initiatives, the DSWD continues to support vulnerable children and their families. The goal is to tackle the conditions that put children at risk of labor exploitation. From 2021 to 2025, the program has assisted approximately 14,112 child laborers, with 4,547 of them now assessed to be free from any form of child labor.