DOLE allocates P45M to aid oil spill-hit workers

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allocated P45 million as emergency employment assistance to workers displaced by the oil spill caused by the sinking of the tanker MT Terranova in Ba-taan.

In a phone interview, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said they have initially allocated P45 million to cover at least 1,357 workers.

“Oil-spill-affected individuals in the province of Bataan have already been provided emergency employ-ment,” said Laguesma.

He said the worker-beneficiaries will work for 10 to 20 days under the program, tasked to help in gather-ing and collecting coconut husks to make oil spill booms.

Laguesma said they will also be assisting in the clean-up operations on the adverse effects of Typhoon Carina.

In turn, they will be paid the prevailing minimum wage rates in the region.

Last July 25, the MT Terranova sank off Limay, Bataan, spilling part of its 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil into the water.

DSWD AID

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is working with local government units (LGUs) on the provision of cash aid and other interventions to fisherfolks affected by the oil spill in Li-may, Bataan, according to Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokeswoman Irene Dumlao.

Dumlao issued the statement as she assured the affected fisherfolks from Bataan and Cavite of the con-tinued assistance from the agency.

She said 10,000 family food packs have been distributed to those affected in Limay and Mariveles, Ba-taan and 25,000 to those affected in Cavite City, Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate in Cavite.

“This was the initial assistance extended but we are already discussing other interventions. Whether As-sistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations or Emergency Cash Transfer, or cash-for-work intervention,” she added

Dumlao said the DSWD continues to closely coordinate with the LGUs of Cavite and Bataan and other concerned offices for significant updates and augmentation requests.

Meanwhile, 5.4 million people or 1.5 million families from 4,530 barangays in 11 regions have been affected by typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon or habagat as of yesterday.

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