By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY – With the six-month closure of world-famous Boracay Island that began last April 26, displaced workers are switching gears and transforming into cleaners as part of the government’s massive rehabilitation program.
Some of them have been seen on the beach front gathering trash while others were gathering debris on the roadside from various demolition jobs.
Salome Siaton, assistant regional director of Department of Labor and Employment, said at least 5,000 displaced workers are entitled to the month-long emergency employment dubbed as “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disavantaged/Displaced Workers.”
The emergency employment, which kicked off last April 26, prioritizes informal settlers and the Ati indigenous group.
With a salary of P323.50 per day or P9,000 for the 30-day period, they will also work in the completion of the sewage and drainage systems.
“They aren’t just beach cleaners. Their works depend on what is needed in their communities,” Siaton added.
While DoLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier only pledged emergency employment for 5,000 displaced Boracay residents, Siaton noted that others can also avail themselves of the cash-for-work program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Boracay had 17,328 registered and 19,289 unregistered workers.