The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has urged parents and guardians to prioritize the safety, welfare, and rights of children under 15 years old involved in public entertainment or information ventures.
The advisory encompasses young participants working across traditional and digital platforms, including films, theater, television, radio, online media, and vlogs.
Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino issued Labor Advisory No. 12, Series of 2026, on July 21 to reinforce legal safeguards for working minors and guarantee compliance with statutory standards.
Under Republic Act No. 9231, which addresses child labor and protects working children, employing minors below 15 years of age is generally illegal, barring strict exceptions.
A child may legally participate if the work is managed under the direct and exclusive responsibility of their parents or guardians—employing only family members—or when their role in public entertainment or information is deemed essential. Employers are required to secure a work permit from DOLE prior to engaging any child under these provisions.
Department Order No. 65-04 defines public entertainment or information as “artistic, literary, and cultural performances for television show, radio program, cinema or film, theater, commercial advertisement, public relations activities or campaigns, print materials, internet, and other media.”
DOLE noted that coverage applies broadly across traditional outlets and modern digital spaces, such as streaming services, social media, vlogs, and online campaigns. The department clarified that the scope aligns with the audiovisual media sector defined under Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.
“The phrase ‘other forms of media’ in Republic Act No. 9231 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations also covers the definition of audiovisual media domain under Republic Act No. 11904 (Philippine Creative Industries Development Act), which refers to recorded and live audio and audiovisual content that are distributed via broadcast media such as television, radio, cable, satellite broadcasts, digital streaming platforms, or exhibited in cinema theaters, including films, television content, animated film productions, vlogs, and other content that utilize motion graphics, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional design technology and animatronics, recorded music, music scores, compositions ready for recording, podcasts, and entertaining audio or audiovisual material or content developed for educational purposes or edutainment content,” the DOLE said.
For young content creators, DOLE emphasized that special regulations may be enforced based on the nature of the production.
“a working child permit is required whenever the child or the activity falls within the coverage of item number 1.1 of Department Circular No. 2, Series of 2018 (Guidelines on the Issuance of Work Permit for Children Below 15 Years of Age Engaged in Public Entertainment or Information, As Amended),” the DOLE said.
DOLE reiterated that parents or legal guardians bear ultimate accountability under RA No. 9231 when children perform under their sole responsibility, regardless of whether the content is intended for conventional broadcast or digital platforms.