DOLE readies jobs for workers to be affected by Boracay closure

Under the emergency employment program, displaced workers will be offered jobs like de-clogging of street canals, cleaning, clearing of road sidewalks, planting trees, and basic repair of common public facilities, among others, for a specific period in exchange of them getting the prevailing minimum wage rate in the region along with social security benefits.(PNA photo)

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is ready to provide emergency employment assistance to workers that may be affected by the possible closure of Boracay.

According to DOLE Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod, the affected laborers may be tapped to serve in the clean-up operations of the world- class beach resort in Aklan.

“They can really help in the cleaning of Boracay while they are without jobs during the closure. This is where DOLE can come in and offer them emergency employment assistance,” he said in an interview.

Under the emergency employment program, displaced workers will be offered jobs like de-clogging of street canals, cleaning, clearing of road sidewalks, planting trees, and basic repair of common public facilities, among others, for a specific period in exchange of them getting the prevailing minimum wage rate in the region along with social security benefits.

Likewise, livelihood program will be offered not only to displaced workers but also to residents of the island that will also be affected.

“We want to help not only the affected workers but also everyone in need, especially the informal settlers,” Maglunsod added.

With this, the DOLE official said their regional office would be conducting the profiling of workers in the island.

He explained that profiling would determine the number, kinds of jobs, and preferred types of assistance of would-be displaced workers.

“This is our standard procedure whenever we have situations like this, especially now that our President has already declared a state of calamity in Boracay,” Maglunsod said.

President Rodrigo Duterte is mulling to temporarily shut down the island due to sewage problems and violations of environmental laws by many establishments there.

The possible closure will leave thousands of workers in Boracay jobless. (PNA)