In 2023, when eight of the 57 children were profiled as child labourers from San Antonio Farmers and Farm Workers Association (SAFFWA), their organization took drastic steps to eliminate child labour. Through constant monitoring and implementation of various Social Protection Programs, SAFFWA was able to achieve its objective to encourage children and their parents to cease child labor practices.
Arline Astologo, the ARBO’s Chairperson, shared that they are taking the lead in anti-child labour (CL) advocacies by continuously improving their strategy. They have amended their “STRICTLY NO CL” policy, which includes :
- Not accepting new members with children engaged in CL;
- Providing incentives to existing members with no CL, sourced from the net income of livelihood; and,
- Strengthening the remediation policy.
“We want to sustain the program to minimize child labor. Through this program, I was able to better understand child rights and the concept of child labor versus child work — which guided us in the implementation,” said Arline Astrologo.
SAFFWA, from Hacienda San Antonio 1, Barangay Tortosa, Manapla, is a group of determined women reshaping the future. Established in 2013, SAFFWA is an all-women farmers group with 48 active members.
In 2019, SAFFWA became an active partner of the Responsible Sourcing from Smallholders (RSS) Program of the Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI). The partnership brought significant opportunities, from launching a frozen foods production and retailing livelihood to improving farm productivity through the Comprehensive Assistance to Smallholders (CASH) for Farm Productivity Program . In 2021, the organization implemented the Integrated ARBO Child Labor and PPE (IACAP) Program, which laid out a clear, community-driven child labor mitigation action.
Under IACAP, the organization has Child Rights Advocates (CRA) who serve as the advocacy arm, conducting various awareness-raising activities such as the annual celebration of the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) every June and Community Tipon-tipon (CTT). The CRAs are key influencers of the members’ and children’s understanding of their rights and responsibilities against child labor.
SAFFWA’s story is a testament to what can happen when a community comes together with a shared commitment to social change. Their efforts not only reduce child labour but also empower families with better opportunities, setting a shining example for communities everywhere.
