SFA-AGR-195-08

Philippine EMBASSY RECEIVES SCHOOL CHILDREN

28 March 2008—Philippine Ambassador to the Hague Romeo A. Arguelles reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that about one hundred (100) Dutch and Belgian schoolchildren assembled at the Embassy on 26 March as part of a symbolic local march against global child labor.   The school children, in the company of their teachers, will visit a total of ten Embassies to raise public awareness against child labor and to seek support for full-time formal education for all children.

During their call on Ambassador Arguelles, the children presented a book entitled “A World for Children – Growing Up Without Child Labour”  which was produced by Dutch press photographer Peter de Ruiter.   The book reveals the many efforts underway to eliminate child labor, as well as the important progress being made by developing nations to address the issue.  

Mr. de Ruiter was also present at the courtesy call, and he took that opportunity to express to Ambassador Arguelles his appreciation at the efforts of the Philippine Government in combating child labor. 

To cap their visit, the children and their teachers were treated with Philippine delicacies such as puto, kutsinta and pansit.   END 

wingret