Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Philippines (Ratification: 2000)

Article 7(2) of the Convention. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Prevent the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. 1. Ensuring access to free basic education. The Committee notes that according to the provisions under the Enhanced Basic Education Act, compulsory schooling starts from kindergarten to senior high school (K to 12 programme) which shall be from the age of 5 years to 18 years. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s information that according to the Department of Education (DepEd), between 2008 and 2013, there has been a reduction by 55 per cent in the incidence of out-of-school children aged between 5 and 15 years as a result of the implementation of mandatory kindergarten, and the gap in the school attendance rate has decreased from 34.9 per cent in 2008 to 5 per cent in 2013. The Government also indicates that DepEd’s total budget has been increasing year by year and has reached 361.7 billion Philippine pesos (PHP) in 2015. Moreover, in 2015, a total of 3,138 child labourers and children at risk were provided with educational assistance, including school supplies, food and clothing through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Project Angel Tree.

The Committee further notes from the Education for All 2015 National Review, Philippines (EFA review) that the EFA-related programmes and projects resulted in increased performance of the country in most of the EFA indicators. According to the EFA review, the programmes and polices implemented by the Government include: (i) the Multigrade Program which aims to serve the need of school-age children in remote and disadvantaged areas; (ii) Alternative Delivery Mode which addresses the needs of marginalized students and those at risk of dropping out; (iii) the Open High School Program that provides for flexible and distance learning strategies for students who are unable to attend regular classes; and (iv) the Conditional Cash Transfer programme. The Committee also notes that, apart from the achievements indicated above by the Government, the EFA review indicates that in 2013, primary school-age participation has reached 95 per cent, secondary school-age participation reached 65 per cent and enrolment at technical skills education and training programmes has increased by 35 per cent. The enrolment and completion rates in basic, secondary and technical education indicate that girls outnumbered boys in most of the programmes. However, the EFA review states that keeping children in school until they finish their basic education and reducing drop-outs in the first three grades remain an issue. While taking note of the various measures taken by the Government to improve the functioning of the education system, the Committee requests the Government to pursue its efforts to ensure access to, and completion of, free basic education for all children. It encourages the Government to take the necessary measures to reduce school drop-out rates, particularly in early grades, so as to prevent the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour.

2. Children engaged in drug trafficking. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the 2015 records of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) showed that 98 minors were rescued from pushing illegal drugs. The Committee encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to prevent the engagement of children under the age of 18 years in drug trafficking. It requests the Government to continue proving information on the measures taken in this regard, including by the Dangerous Drugs Board and on the number of children who were prevented from becoming engaged in drug trafficking.

Article 7(2). Clause (b). Removing children from the worst forms of child labour and providing for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child victims of trafficking. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that in response to the rampant problem of trafficking of persons, the Recovery and Reintegration Programme for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) was initiated. According to the Government’s report, the RRPTP, through its multisectoral approach, ensures adequate recovery and reintegration services to victims of trafficking as well as to their families, including rescue, counselling, financial assistance, skills training, auxiliary services, shelter and legal assistance. The Government’s report indicates that in 2015, temporary shelter and psychosocial counselling was the most availed service by the RRPTP. The Committee notes, however, that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in its concluding observations of 22 July 2016, expressed concern at the lack of designated shelters for victims of trafficking as well as support for rehabilitation and reintegration (CEDAW/C/PHL/CO/7-8, paragraph 27). The Committee requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to protect children under 18 years of age from this worst form of child labour and to provide them with appropriate services for their rehabilitation and reintegration. It requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken in this regard and on the number of child victims of trafficking who have been provided services, including through the RRPTP.