Playa del Carmen Campaign Aims to Curb Child Labor With Mototaxi Ads

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The DIF Playa del Carmen municipal family welfare agency has launched a permanent campaign called “Giving Is Not Helping” in Puerto Aventuras, using decals and informational flyers on mototaxis to raise awareness about child labor.

The initiative aims to strengthen child protection and educate the public on the consequences of child labor, according to officials.

The launch was led by Eduardo Asencio, honorary president of DIF Playa del Carmen, along with Puerto Aventuras Mayor Gilberto Gómez. Representatives from several taxi unions — Untrac, In Lak’ Loom, CROC, Auto Taxi de Quintana Roo, and COR — also participated.

The unions joined the social awareness strategy promoted through the Program for Attention to Minors and Adolescents at Risk (Pamar).

“Through the ‘Giving Is Not Helping’ campaign, we seek to prevent child labor and promote the protection of the rights of our children and adolescents,” Asencio said. “Placing these decals on each mototaxi will carry this message to the entire community of Puerto Aventuras, inviting reflection and the construction of safer, more inclusive environments with greater opportunities for childhood.”

He thanked the participating unions for their commitment, highlighting the leadership of Mayor Estefanía Mercado, who promotes ongoing actions for family well-being and child protection.

Mayor Gilberto Gómez Martínez acknowledged the importance of the campaign and the reach the message will have through the transport units. “Many times we think that giving a coin to a child working on the street is helping, when in reality we contribute to keeping them in that situation,” he said. “That is why it is essential to raise awareness and promote actions that protect our children and adolescents.”

Authorities said each decal will serve as a permanent outreach tool, reaching hundreds of people daily and strengthening a culture of respect, protection, and guarantee of children’s rights.