The provincial government of Bulacan, together with the Department of Tourism Region III (DOT-III) and End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT) Philippines, conducted recently a “Child Safe Tourism” seminar done virtually.
The virtual event tackled DOT`s newest program dubbed as Tourism Integrates, Supports, and Minds Women’s Respect and Child Safety (TourISM WoRCS) program, and was attended by Bulacan Association Resort Owners and Bulacan Private Resorts.
It aims to inform participants about the tourism industry, its effect on children, and the steps being taken to protect the children, encourage the implementation of policies and practices to discourage child violence and neglect, and motivate participants to become child advocates and proponents of a tourism community that respects children’s rights.
According to Dr. Eliseo Dela Cruz, head of the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office, tourism is considered as one of the largest industries that rakes in income to economies and communities worldwide. However, alongside the benefit it brings are its downsides that include social issues like the vulnerability of children working and living in tourist areas.
“Matagal na nating ipinaglalaban ang karapatan ng mga bata, ipinagbabawal ang child labor at child trafficking. Ang mga kabataan po ang pag-asa ng bayan pero hindi naman po ibig sabihing pwede natin silang pagkakitaan at ibenta ang kanilang mga karapatan. Tandaan po nating responsibilidad nating mga nakakatanda, mga magulang ang ating mga kabataan,” Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando said.