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Abstract

The study examined the relationship between poverty and child labor in the Philippines by region. It investigated how school attendance of working children relates to poverty incidence covering the period 2008-2012. The study utilized data from the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) and the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) to determine the relationships among poverty, prevalence of child labor and the number of working children not attending school. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was employed in the analysis. Findings revealed that poverty incidence and prevalence of child labor were strongly correlated. Similarly, poverty incidence strongly associates with the number of working children not attending school. Poverty displaces these children from school. School children are enticed to participate in the labor force because of short-term income opportunities. There is, however, no relationship between prevalence of child labor and the number of working children not attending school. Empirical data revealed that CARAGA, ARMM and Zamboanga have high percentages of poor individuals compared with other regions of the country with large number of children not attending school. It is evident that children have taken on the responsibility of augmenting the household incomes and of providing the needs of their households. There is enough evidence that conclude that poverty pushes children to participate in the labor force for them augment household income. It is recommended that the government, aside from ensuring free basic education, should provide and construct schools close to poor communities so that all children who cannot pay transportation costs are able to attend school.

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