Philippine News Digest 75

Contents:
-21, 000 children prostituted

-Olongapo civil society groups press for clean, honest elections

-Children participate in summer sports fest

21,000 children prostituted

There are more than 21,000 children forced into prostitution, some by their parents, in Jakarta and all Javanese provinces except Banten, according to a study conducted by the International Labor Organization. “Poverty, lack of educational facilities, traditional views oneconomic values of a girl and loose social control are identified as the main characteristics of the sending areas,” an ILO statement said. Child trafficking for prostitution is one of five labour sectors researched in support of Indonesia’s National Action Plan to prevent and eliminate the worst forms of child labour. Source: Internet News Digest

Olongapo civil society groups press for clean, honest elections

Members of the Olongapo Civil Society Movement will launch a rally on May 5 to press for honest, clean and just elections in the coming May 10 polls. Led by activist priest Fr. Robert Reyes who is known for running to highlight his call, the rally will culminate in the Rizal Triangle Park where a short skit about the evils of traditional politics will be presented by members of the youth organization AKBAY, for Aksyon ng mga Bata at Kabataan Para sa Bayan.

Children participate in summer sports fest

Children from the PREDA Home for Girls and Children in Conflict with the Law participated in the annual region-wide sports fest held in the Tapinac Sports Oval in Olongapo City from April 26 to 30. Twenty-eight child-caring organizations, all accredited and licensed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, sent their delegates who competed in events ranging from basketball to traditional Philippine games. The PREDA delegation went home with several medals and garnered second place in over-all championship