IN THE aftermath of the fire that razed the Star City amusement park, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday, October 4, disclosed that about 500 workers were displaced.

In a statement, DOLE Assistant Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay said the Quick Response Team (QRT) of their regional office in the National Capital Region (NCR) found out that 500 employees were left on a "no work, no pay" situation after the fire.

"Most of the affected workers are said to perform in administrative works, while the displacement may run for six months," said Tutay.

The amusement park is expected to be closed for one year after the massive fire on Wednesday, October 2, the management had said in a statement.

To help the affected workers, the Labor department is set to provide emergency employment assistance.

Tutay said DOLE is making available P5.5 million in emergency employment assistance for Star City workers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program.

"The Public Employment Service Office (Peso) of Pasay City is already set to conduct a profiling and assessment of the displaced workers for potential alternative employment," Tutay said.

Tupad is an emergency employment program for displaced workers, underemployed, and seasonal workers.

The said assistance is similar to what was provided to employees of the gutted NCCC Mall in Davao City in 2018, those affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano also in 2018, and the six-month closure of Boracay. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)