DOLE allots P1.8M to employ typhoon victims

LAOAG CITY, Oct. 2 – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allotted nearly P2 million for the emergency employment of hardest-hit victims of Typhoons Ineng and Habagat in the Ilocos provinces.
A total of 550 workers from areas worst-hit by flooding will benefit from the program.

DOLE Region 1 Director Grace Ursua said on Thursday that her office has readied some P1,880,250 to cover the wages, personal protective equipment and micro insurance of the workers who will be hired from 10 to 15 days to help in the rehabilitation, clearing and cleaning of their communities.

The emergency employment program will be implemented in the towns of Dingras, Pagudpud, Piddig, Solsona, Paoay and Laoag City all in Ilocos Norte and Caoayan and Santa towns in Ilocos Sur and Luna, San Juan and Bacnotan towns in La Union.

Ilocos Norte, which was the most flood-affected, has a total allotment of P1,296,000 for 300 workers. Ilocos Sur will receive P432,000 for 100 workers while La Union has P152,250 total assistance for 150 workers.

Each worker will receive P253 daily, the highest prevailing minimum wage rate in the region.

Ursua said the emergency employment program is intended to cushion the devastating effects of calamities on affected workers by enlisting them in short-term employment. (Freddie G. Lazaro/PIA- I, Ilocos Norte with reports from DOLE)