DSWD XI warns rising prices could push more Davao Region children into work

Rising prices of goods could lead to more child laborers in the Davao Region in 2026, as struggling families may turn to their children to help earn a living, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI said, according to Mindanao Times.

Hannah Princess M. Taguinod, focal person of the DSWD XI SHIELD Program, raised the concern at the Isyu Karon Monthly Media Forum held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City. She said inflation may deepen the financial difficulties of vulnerable households and push more children into work. She added that younger siblings of current child laborers may also be encouraged to work after seeing their older brothers or sisters contribute to the family income.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) data cited at the forum showed 3,819 child laborers in the region in 2025. Davao de Oro had the most at 1,108, followed by Davao City with 880, Davao Oriental with 617, Davao Occidental with 553, Davao del Norte with 433 and Davao del Sur with 228.

Taguinod said many working children act as breadwinners, taking on jobs out of a desire to help, especially when their parents are ill or cannot earn enough. "Most of these children want to help their families," she said.

To respond, DSWD XI is implementing the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood and Other Developmental Services (SHIELD) Program, which seeks to end child labor by providing livelihood assistance and other support to affected families. Social workers visit identified child laborers and their households to find out why the children began working and what help the families need.

Taguinod described the program as augmentation meant to help families become financially independent so children can stop working and focus on school and their development. "Once they are capable of standing on their own, that is when we can gradually pull out our assistance," she said.

The agency is urging vulnerable families to avail themselves of available livelihood and support services so that economic hardship does not force children into labor.