BALER, Aurora -- Some 754 marginalized workers from Aurora province were recently given a P3,010,300 emergency employment assistance, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said Friday.
According to Dole Regional Director Ana Dione, the emergency employment assistance was sourced from the DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program.
In her report to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, she said the beneficiaries are victims of recent calamities, particularly Typhoon "Lando,” which struck the province in October.
Dione noted that the beneficiaries, mostly male household members, are from the typhoon-afflicted towns of Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis, Dipaculao, Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, and Dingalan.
“Upon the marching orders of Secretary Baldoz, we immediately dispatched our personnel and coordinated with concerned units in the typhoon-struck areas all over the region, with Aurora, being one of the most heavily-hit among the provinces,” Dione said.
“Accordingly, the status report of the Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) noted the effects and extent of damage caused by TS Lando in all eight (8) municipalities of Aurora where a total of 68 Barangays with 2,849 families seriously affected and a total of 11,191 individuals were evacuated in 60 evacuation centers,” she added.
Dione noted that all beneficiaries have undergone a simultaneous orientation, signing of their contracts, and received personal protective equipment--face masks, caps, hand gloves, long-sleeves, tools, and rubber boots.
All beneficiaries were provided social protection by enrolling them under the group insurance of the GSIS prior to their deployment.
Under their contracts, beneficiaries were tasked to perform social community works, such as basic repair of common public facilities, cleaning/clearing of road side walks, and de-clogging of canals.
All have rendered work for a period of ten days and paid 100 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in the area which is P298 per day. (PR)