DOLE releases P2M to employ workers displaced in Zamboanga crisis

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment released P2 million for the emergency employment of displaced workers who were affected by the recent siege in Zamboanga City.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, who handed the P2-million check to the city government, said the amount will initially fund the short-term employment measure for the workers displaced by the September crisis.

Baldoz said three more emergency employment batches will be implemented January next year to ensure that the displaced workers affected by the restructuring program of different companies  would be assisted. 

The labor chief said the emergency employment is the initial intervention by the state agency to assist the affected residents, stressing that the department will implement its livelihood component through starter kits and skills training program in coordination with Technical Skills Education Development Authority to put small business of their own.

“This not dole out. Talaga pong trabaho kaagad, hanapbuhay kaagad ang konsepto ng livelihood intervention,” Baldoz said as the beneficiaries need to work for their salaries.

The beneficiaries will be identified by the Public Employment Service Office who will be tapped for various work, receiving the minimum wage for a 30-day work period.

Volunteers in the evacuation camps reported that most of the displaced adult civilians have been heavily dependent on the government subsidies and were no longer venturing to find jobs.