BORACAY – There is a “low turnout” of displaced island workers availing themselves of the government’s livelihood assistance, according to Labor secretary Silvestre Bello III.
As of July 8, the Labor department has only released P32.1 million of the P450-million budget intended for the agency’s assistance program for formal and informal workers affected by the island’s half-year shutdown.
There are about 18,000 registered workers and 5,000 informal workers (including indigenous peoples) in Boracay.
Out of these numbers, a total of 13,620 have availed themselves of the assistance program, based on the data from DOLE.
Labor and Employment Officer III Methuselah Norma Janabon of DOLE-Aklan said they are reaching out to organizations and associations of women, vendors, tricycle drivers, boatmen, massage therapists, Atis, and other sectors in Boracay in relation to the aid distribution.
“Kasama na dito ang nag-avail sa ibang regions dahil umuwi na ang ibang workers sa kanilang probinsiya,” Janabon added.
DOLE also has the Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, or the DILEEP.
Under the DILEEP, recipients (associations and organizations) will receive a P1-million check that will be used to improve their livelihoods.
One of the recipients, for example, is the Malay Association of Sailing Boat Owners, Inc. – Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Masboi-MPC).
Masboi-MPC has 399 members who will enjoy the aid for their rice trading and retailing program.
“DOLE could assist other associations and organizations in Boracay in preparing proposals for DILEEP,” said Janabon. “Ito ay grant ng DOLE na may 10-percent counterpart ang recipient.”
The DOLE also hired 2,963 residents of barangays Balabag, Manoc-manoc and Yapak under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
The agency has already disbursed P23.2 million for two batches of beneficiaries under the TUPAD program.
The beneficiaries worked for 30 days and received a minimum daily wage of P323.50.
“No work, no pay,” Janabon stressed.
Moreover, the DOLE has released 2,527 cash cards worth P9.59 million to formal workers in the island under its Boracay Emergency Employment Program.
Displaced and suspended workers receive 50 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in Western Visayas, which totals to P4,250.50 a month for six months.
Retained workers, on the other hand, receive 25 percent of the prevailing minimum wage, or P2,102.75 a month for three months. (With a report from Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
