Paving the Path to Justice: CCDC-Driven Research Strengthens Governance to Combat Child Exploitation in the Cordillera

The Cordillera College and Development Center (CCDC) is proud to lead the charge for evidence-based policy reform in the region, firmly upholding the mandate of Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Our latest initiative, the Child Labor-Effective Awareness and Response in Cordillera Administrative Region (CLEAR CAR) Baseline Study Report, is a powerful example of policy-focused research designed to create lasting systemic change. This groundbreaking study, conducted in partnership with development specialists like World Vision and co-funded by the European Union, is not merely an academic exercise; it is a critical collaboration with provincial and municipal government departments across Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao, aimed at eradicating the Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL) and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

As a policy-focused undertaking, the CCDC-led research team employed a rigorous mixed-methods approach to specifically assess the operational readiness of local governance. This involved in-depth Key Informant Interviews (KII) with mayors, municipal social workers, and other key local government officials, complemented by the review of secondary data from agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The primary objective was to establish initial benchmarks, validate project assumptions, and, most critically, evaluate the capacity of local governance structures (LGUs) to implement effective and responsive policies against child labor and abuse. This meticulous collaboration ensures that CCDC’s findings are grounded in real-world governance challenges, making the resulting recommendations immediately actionable by our government partners.

The study’s findings revealed significant institutional gaps, underscoring the urgent need for policy support, which directly informs the CCDC’s future engagement strategy. For instance, the baseline value showed that of the 15 Local Government Units (LGUs) surveyed, none had specific ordinances or resolutions explicitly addressing the Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL). Furthermore, while services exist, the community’s awareness and satisfaction rates were hindered by a lack of effective mechanisms for reporting and responding to child abuse cases. This evidence demonstrates that while government departments are committed, a policy-implementation void exists—a gap that CCDC’s policy-focused research is uniquely positioned to bridge, transforming good intentions into robust institutions of justice.

In response to the evidence gathered, the CLEAR CAR study proposes a targeted blueprint for institutional strengthening. Key recommendations call for LGUs to receive support in developing and implementing specific programs for WFCL and OSAEC, establishing dedicated reporting hotlines, and increasing training for local officials and community members. By facilitating this collaborative process of policy development and capacity-building with government departments, CCDC is not only providing research but actively helping to build the “Strong Institutions” required by SDG 16. The work ensures that the government can enforce laws, respond swiftly to cases, and ultimately, safeguard the children of the Cordillera Administrative Region, creating a more just and peaceful society for all.

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