DOLE provides emergency jobs for workers

CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines — Labor Secretary Marianito Roque has ordered emergency employment of workers in areas hit by storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”

Speaking at the 9th Public Employment Service Offices Congress at Clark Freeport, Roque said the emergency worker will be paid a minimum daily wage during the 15-day program.

Roque said the emergency employment program would initially assist at least 1,450 workers in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon Region.

“We have mobilized DOLE personnel in the three regions to already identify target beneficiaries in the typhoon-damaged areas in coordination with concerned local government units,” he said.

Roque said in Metro Manila, the program will benefit 100 workers each in Marikina, Quezon City, Pasig, Pateros, and Taguig; 50 each in Caloocan City, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela; and 50 each in Muntinlupa, San Juan, and Mandaluyong.

In Central Luzon, the program will assist 200 workers in Bulacan and 100 in Pampanga; and in Calabarzon, 150 in Cavite and 100 workers in Rizal, he added.

Roque said subsistence workers who lost their income and livelihood sources due to the calamity will be prioritized, especially those whose properties were totally damaged and those formerly engaged in a particular craft or skill.

The program will provide the beneficiaries, through the local governments, with emergency employment, particularly in clearing and de-clogging operations and reconstruction, like the repair of damaged infrastructure, school buildings, daycare centers, drainage, irrigation systems, he added.

Roque said the role of local governments will be crucial, as they would help identify the types of reconstruction work for the targeted workers.

“The DOLE’s emergency employment assistance program will serve as a short-term relief to help the beneficiaries cope with their situation while seeking to recover and regain their livelihood and income sources from the destruction brought about by Ondoy,” he said.

Roque said that the DOLE is also gearing up for the implementation of the new law on the Special Program for Employment of Students.

“The program’s continued implementation faces challenges that the DOLE and its social partners, notably local government units, Public Employment Service Offices, or PESOs, as well as employers and other stakeholders must commonly tackle to sustain its viability,” he said.

Director Ma. Criselda Sy of the Bureau of Labor and Employment said Republic Act 9547, which President Arroyo signed into law last April, allows more poor but deserving students to participate in the SPES program. –Ding Cervantes (The Philippine Star)