CV workers affected by “Frank” to get P1M

Workers in Central Visayas who were affected by Typhoon Frank will get P1 million out of the P6-million fund that the Department of Labor and Employment has allocated from its adjustment measures program to help them cope with the effects of the typhoon.

The DOLE regional office reported that 410 affected workers from Region 7 will benefit from the program.

Of the P6-million fund, P3.5 million will go to some 1,650 workers in Region 6, while P1.5 million will be given to Region 8 where some 720 workers were affected by the typhoon.

But that is only for the implementation of the first component of the program because DOLE has also allocated another P27 million for the livelihood restoration of the affected workers for the follow-through program to help them revive their means of livelihood.

DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque said they are targeting about 5,400 more workers to benefit from the second phase of the program, with majority of them or about 3,600 workers will come from Region 6.

On the other hand, Regions 7 and 8 have identified 600 and 1,200 affected workers who would benefit from the second phase of the program.

The DOLE will sign a memorandum of agreement with the respective local government units in the three regions for the implementation of the assistance program.

The LGUs will serve as program proponents to which the DOLE will course through the fund upon its approval.

Roque has already ordered the release of P33-million fund for the emergency employment assistance and livelihood restoration for workers to provide them with short-term employment until their livelihood has been fully restored.

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

Organized craftsmen or women in a particular productive trade and subsistence workers collectively operating a handicraft or micro-enterprise will also be prioritized.

The first component of the program, which has funding of P6 million, will provide the beneficiaries, through the LGUs, with emergency employment particularly in clearing and de-clogging operations and reconstruction efforts like the repairs of damaged infrastructure such as school buildings, daycare center, drainage, irrigation system, and farm to market roads.

On the other hand, the remaining P27 million will be spent for the second component of the program to assist the beneficiaries in reviving their means of livelihood like the purchase of farm implements, carpentry tools, cooking wares, repair kits, and even farm animals that had lost due to the typhoon.  — Wenna A. Berondo/LPM