Manila, Sept. 19 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) and the local government of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, have entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday for the implementation of the SHIELD Against Child Labor Program.

"The MOA aims to strengthen partnerships and uphold shared accountability in promoting child protection and development," the DSWD-13 said in a statement.

During the signing, 26 former child laborers and their parents received PHP5,000 each in educational assistance.

"The financial aid aims to support the studies of the former child laborers and to reduce their vulnerability to child labor," the DSWD-13 said.

The agency added that the aid also serves as an im...