ILOILO CITY — Some 2,500 workers from the informal sector (IS) and Indigenous People (IPs) in Boracay Island will initially benefit from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disavantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that will be launched in the island on Thursday.
The work will start on April 26, first day of the six-month shutdown and rehabilitation of the resort island.
Amy Judicpa of DOLE said on Tuesday that Secretary Silvestre Bello has committed emergency employment for 5,000 IS and IPs. She added that they have already completed the profiling of around 2,500.
They will be working for 30 days from April 26 to May 30 exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays, she added. The workers will be paid PHP323.50 a day.
Judicpa said they will be tasked to undertake the rehabilitation cleanup of the shorelines of Barangay Balabag plus cleanup of roads and drainage and enhancement of the denuded mangrove area in Barangay Manocmanoc.
They have yet to identify the rehabilitation works at Barangay Yapak.
The three barangays comprised the resort island.
Meanwhile, the workers will get their remuneration upon submission of required documents.
DOLE has already hired additional 200 trainees under the Government Internship Program (GIP) to help in the profiling of displaced workers in the island.
Those engaged in the GIP will be paid 75 percent of the minimum daily wage. They will be rendering service for a maximum of six months.
As of Monday, 30 trainees were hired and those interested may approach DOLE should they want to be part of the GIP.
Judicpa said they prefer family members of displaced workers in the island.
In addition to the salary they will receive, the workers will be provided with an insurance coverage and personal protective equipment.
The program launching will be held Thursday afternoon at the Barangay Manocmanoc gymnasium. (Perla Lena/PNA)
