Legal & Tax Updates [Back to list]

DOLE Labor Advisory No. 18: Engagement or Participation of Children in Public Entertainment or Information

On 15 August 2023, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issued Labor Advisory (“LA”) No. 18 series of 2023 revoking certain LAs related to engagement or participation of children below 18 years of age in public entertainment or information. Pursuant to Proclamation No. 297 (Lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19) issued by the President on 21 July 2023, the following LAs are deemed revoked and shall no longer be in effect:

  1. LA No. 23, series of 2020 (Engagement or Participation of a Child Below 15 Years of Age in Public Entertainment or Information Pursuant to the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines)
  2. LA No. 24-A, series of 2020 (Revised Guidelines on Engagement of Children 15 to Below 18 Years of Age in Public Entertainment or Information During Community Quarantine)
  3. LA No. 22, series of 2021 (Engagement or Participation of a Child Below 15 Years of Age in Public Entertainment or Information During the Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response) 

LA No. 18 further states that while the state of public health emergency has already been lifted, employers who will engage children in public entertainment or information are enjoined to observe and follow the recommendations in the updated health protocols provided under Department of Health (“DOH”) Department Circular (“DC”) No. 2023-0324 (Updated Health Protocols following Lifting of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency) issued by the DOH on 23 July 2023 such as the following:

  1. Wearing of mask, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated public spaces intended as workplace of the child; and
  2. Good hygiene, frequent hand washing, and good ventilation especially in situations where close interaction with the child cannot be avoided. 

Finally, vaccination against COVID-19, although recommended under DOH DC No. 2023-0324, shall not be required for the issuance of a working child permit for children below 15 years of age.