The issue of child labour is viewed here in the context of demand and supply conditions wherein labour is an input to production. The child labour market is defined as the intersection of the supply and demand for child labour. The hypothesis applied is that the characteristics of the industry influence the child labour market.
The study presents summaries on the documented accounts on the situation of children in quarrying. Areas include: Misamis Oriental, Leyte, Cebu, Bulacan, Rizal and Romblon. In Rizal, Romblon and Cebu, quarry resources abound. It is in these areas where the local economy increasingly becomes dependent on such a natural endowment due to the profits and income it generates for the community. The negative effect is only recognized when environmental problems begin to be felt and the cost of the externalities are higher than the benefits.
As alternative livelihoods remain undeveloped, marginal families are attracted to any jobs available in order to survive. This is not only true to quarrying areas but is also manifested in other industries.
The study proposes the following areas where the Time-Bound Program (TBP) of the ILO can be considered:
1. Need for an area-based approach that includes an integrated package of interventions that would respond to the interlinked socio-economic and physical issues in the community.
2. Need to review the policy instruments regulating the industry. The local government should play a major role for law enforcement and not compromise the negative effects of an industry over the income generated thereby.
3. Need to build capacities of different agencies and groups at the local level.
4. Need for alternative educational strategies.
5. Need for community organizing/community development. Empowerment of families and children is the ultimate objective of community development.
6. Need to study the impact of the industry upon the community as a whole. The industry has to undergo a weaning process from the communities where they are located.
