Philippine News Digest 42
November 16, 2002 ·
Contents:
- Millions still caught in child labor trap
- NGOs seek release of 35 youths from adult jails
- Clergymen oppose return of mining in Eastern Samar
Millions still caught in child labor trap
Millions of children are still forced to labour in dreadful conditions, a new study reveals. In a landmark global survey the International Labor Organization (ILO) shows that despite significant progress to abolish child labor an alarming number of children are trapped in its worst forms. The report, titled A Future Without Child Labor, says that in every eight children in the world, some 179 million children aged five to 17- is still exposed to the worst forms of child labor, endangering their physical, mental or moral well-being. Source: Children’s Rights Information Network Number 16, October 2002.
NGOs seek release of 35 youths from adult jails
A coalition of non-governmental organizations is seeking the release of 35 minors who are serving time with adult detainees at the Baguio City Jail, north of Manila. The PREDA Jail Monitor Team visited the said jail on October 30 and found the minors subjected to harsh conditions. While some of them are undergoing trial, charges have yet to be filed against most of them which is a violation of the memorandum of agreement between the Juvenile Justice Network and the Department of Justice. The agreement requires the DOJ to entrust juveniles suspects under the care of their parents or a state rehabilitation facility if the suspects are undergoing trial. The PREDA Jail Monitor Team aims at not only providing these minors with their basic needs but also to change the law to which they are subjected. Source: Vincent Cabreza and correspondent reports, Philippine Daily Inquirer Northern Luzon Bureau, 13 November 2002.
Clergymen oppose return of mining in Eastern Samar
The bishop, priests and deacons of Eastern Samar issued a formal protest against the decision of the Department of Environment and Natural resources allowing the resumption of mining operations in the island due to the destruction caused by the mining operations on the environment. The clergy members claimed the Hinatuan Mining Corp. left behind huge craters that have “adversely affected” local fishing and threatened to cause flooding in the area. Two months ago, a spillway of an abandoned mine in San Marcelino, Zambales collapsed flooding low-lying villages with mine wastes and other chemicals. Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 November 2002.
