Ending the worst forms of child labour in the Philippines
Children across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in the Philippines are still being drawn into hazardous and exploitative work, including mining, agricultural labour, domestic work, and online sexual exploitation. Many come from families facing deep poverty, limited access to services, and few safe alternatives.
Co-funded by the European Union, Project CLEAR CAR (Child Labour-Effective Awareness and Response in Cordillera Administrative Region) is working alongside communities, government partners and civil society to help children stay safe, protected and in school.
Why this project matters
Despite strong laws in the Philippines, child labour, including its worst forms, remains hidden and under‑reported, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities.
In the Cordillera region:
- Children as young as five are engaged in hazardous work
- Boys are more likely to work in mining, farming and construction
- Girls face increased risks in domestic labour and online sexual exploitation
- Families struggling with poverty are often forced to make impossible choices
CLEAR CAR focuses on addressing these risks where they begin; within communities, local systems and household livelihoods.
What CLEAR CAR does
Project CLEAR CAR takes a whole‑community approach, tackling child labour through protection, prevention and economic resilience.
1. Strengthening child protection systems
We support local governments, schools, faith‑based organisations and community groups to better prevent, identify and respond to child labour.
This includes:
- Supporting local child protection councils and monitoring systems
- Establishing Community Watch Groups to identify and report risks early
- Supporting local policies on child labour and online safety
- Training frontline workers, teachers and community leaders
2. Protecting children at risk
We work directly with children and families to increase awareness of child rights, protection mechanisms, and pathways to support.
This includes:
- Community education on child rights and online safety
- Awareness‑raising with children, parents and caregivers
- Safe referral pathways to government protection services
- Psychosocial support for children affected by exploitation
3. Supporting families to earn safely
Poverty is a key driver of child labour. CLEAR CAR helps families strengthen their livelihoods so children are not pushed into work.
This includes:
- Community savings and credit groups
- Business skills training, particularly for women
- Support to access local employment and social protection schemes
Who the project works with
CLEAR CAR works in partnership with:
- Children involved in or at risk of child labour and their families
- Local government units across Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province
- Faith‑based and civil society organisations
- Indigenous leaders and community representatives
By working through local systems and trusted community structures, the project supports long‑term change that lasts beyond the life of the programme.
Impact so far
Since launching, CLEAR CAR has already contributed to:
- Stronger coordination between government agencies and communities
- Hundreds of leaders trained on child protection and child labour prevention
- Community Watch Groups established to monitor risks locally
- Thousands of children and adults reached with child protection information
- Families beginning to build safer, more secure livelihoods
The project continues to scale its work as community‑level services and livelihood support expand.
Standing with children
Every child has the right to be safe, protected, and free to learn. Through CLEAR CAR, communities are taking action to end child labour, and to build a future where children can thrive.