DOLE assures no minors in CamNorte night spots

LEGAZPI CITY -- The row of nighttime entertainment spots along beaches in leading tourist areas of Camarines Norte are now empty of workers, either boys or girls who are below 18 years of age.

The Department of Labor and Employment regional office here made the assurance on Thursday as it reported on the accomplishments of its campaign to rid night clubs and pubhouses in Camarines Norte and other parts of Bicol of child workers.

All night entertainment spots along the beaches in the gold-rich town of Paracale, Camarines Norte as well as in the capital town of Daet are now free of child labor, said DOLE regional director Nathaniel Lacambra.

This was after the DOLE- Bicol, joined by the local government units (LGUs), implemented its “Dikit-Paalala” Campaign in line with its annual Project Angel Tree-Gift Giving and Feeding activity.

Under the campaign, the DOLE posts signs inside night establishments reminding its management and costumers that minors are not allowed in the area.
“Definitely we are assured that these entertainment houses are now child-labor free,” Lacambra stressed.

The “Dikit Paalala” Campaign is supported by the Provincial Anti-Child Labor Council (PPACL) of Camarines Norte headed by the DOLE Provincial Office. It is a simple but effective advocacy program designed to glue stickers permanently on night clubs in the province.

It is backed up by Provincial Ordinance No. 71-2010 which took effect on February 1 last year.

The campaign includes the regular monitoring of the establishments posted with the stickers.