The SIFI Responsible Sourcing from Small Landowners (SIFI-RSS) special project conducted “IACAP Policy Formulation Workshop with New ARBOs”, a capacity building support to agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations under the Integrated ARBO Child Labour and PPE Program and Services Program at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City last March 2, 2022.
The workshop was led by Rhoderick K. Samonte, Director for External Affairs of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC). The activity was participated by a total of 17 officers from 9 ARBOs namely: Angelina 2 Farmers Assn.(AF2A) from Victorias City, Salome 2 Farmers (SAFA2) from Manapla, Sto. Tagud Farm Workers Assn. (STAFWA), Asuncion Farmers Beneficiaries Assn. (AFBA), Guin-olayan Agrarian Reform Coop. (GARC) from Cadiz City, Nabutaan Barangay Jonob-jonob Agrarian Farmers Assn. (NABAJFA) from Escalante City, Kapitan Ramon Agrarian Farmers Assn. (KRAFA), Violeta Integrated Farmers Assn. (VIFA) and Progreso Agrarian Reform Coop. (PARC). Aside from them, 6 child rights advocates, and data gatherers from CHMSC also attended.
The goal of the workshop was to make the participants understand the objectives and basic components of the RSS and IACAP Incentives program; to help them draft policies to reduce, eliminate child labor, and ensure working members’ safety and protection; and to let them participate in the PPE assessment survey.
The workshop was divided into three sessions— Session 1 was an orientation about RSS and IACAP Incentives Program, RSS’ objectives, implementing partners, key strategies (CASH, PAGSIK, IACAP), and coverage and reach in the past 5 years. This was conducted by RSS’ consultant Judy Ann Gonzaga. Session 2 was a seminar on children‘s laws, child rights, child labor, and occupational health and safety. Session 3 was about policy-making, importance of guidance, consistency, accountability, efficiency, clarity and how to formulate a policy. Session 2 and 3 were both conducted by Rhoderick K. Samonte.
The workshop participants were then given time to draft their respective policies concerning child labor and usage of personal protective equipment.
In the final part of the workshop, all 9 ARBOs presented their workshop outputs on policies focusing on eradicating child labor and the proper use of PPEs.
