THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allowed child actors below 15 years old to do onsite shoots in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2.
The policy is contained in Labor Advisory 22-2021 that Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III issued last Thursday. The order updates the labor department’s rules for the participation of children in public entertainment or information during the implementation of the Alert Level System (ALS).
In the 2-paged issuance, Bello said these minors must be fully vaccinated before they go on-camera in studios or location shoots.
He also noted that minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks and social distancing should be strictly exercised in the location where the minor will be present.
“In case the employer will provide the child with costumes, props, or materials needed in the work to be performed, the employer shall ensure that these are thoroughly disinfected before handing [these] over to the child,” Bello said.
The employer of the minor must also secure the necessary authorization from the local government unit (LGU), where the child performance will be held, as well as the required permit from the labor department.
“The DOLE Regional Offices may issue internal guidelines on the manner of accepting applications and release of working child permits. They may use their existing online system or may accept applications via email,” Bello said.
The said application form must also be accompanied by letter indicating that the employer complied with all the other earlier mentioned requirements.
Bello stressed that the concerned child actors have the right to refuse to work in accordance with Republic Act 9231 and Republic Act 11058.