The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lianga formalized their partnership for the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) Against Child Labor Program through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on November 26, 2025, in line with the celebration of the 33rd National Children’s Month.

The SHIELD Program aims to strengthen local mechanisms that protect children from abuse, exploitation, and hazardous labor by providing community-based interventions, access to essential services, and opportunities for family development and livelihood support. The initiative reinforces the national commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and preventing child labor at the community level.

The MOA was signed by Director Mari-Flor Dollaga, Regional Director of DSWD Field Office Caraga; Hon. Amado M. Layno, Jr., MD, Mayor of LGU Lianga; and Ms. Almaekah L. Bulusan, RSW, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer.

In her message, Dir. Dollaga emphasized that protecting children’s rights is a collective effort. “Ang commitment sa among Secretary Rex Gatchalian sa pag protekta sa mga kabataan, gipakusgan sa commitment sa LGU Lianga sa pag duplikar sa SHIELD Against Child Labor Program. So dapat kita isip mga ginikanan, mo-komitar nga kita pod buhaton nato ang tanan para protektahan atong mga anak layo sa disgrasya ug mga sitwasyon nga sila ma abuso.”

As part of the caravan, Ms. Melanie Juan, RSW, Sectoral Unit Head of the DSWD Caraga Protective Services Division, provided an orientation to parents on Republic Act 9231, which strengthens the prohibition against child labor and affirms the rights of children to protection, education, and development.

Municipal Mayor Hon. Amado M. Layno, Jr., MD extended gratitude to DSWD and DOLE for programs and services that ensure children in Lianga are protected against all forms of abuse.

The signing was held during DOLE Caraga’s Project Angel Tree and Information & Service Caravan on the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program, attended by Atty. Jason P. Balais, CESO IV, Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga.

In addition, 41 parents of former child laborers received cash assistance worth Php 3,000 each, helping ease financial pressures that often contribute to child labor situations.

The partnership under SHIELD signifies the shared commitment of DSWD, LGU Lianga, and partner agencies to ensure that every child is protected, empowered, and given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

Lianga is the 9th LGU in Caraga to replicate DSWD’s SHIELD Against Child Labor Program.