Senator Sonny Angara has urged the public employment service offices (PESOs) in neighboring areas of Marawi City to be at the forefront in providing employment assistance to displaced workers due to the ongoing conflict.
“Hanggat hindi pa pinahihintulutang makabalik ang mga residente ng Marawi, mananatili silang walang hanapbuhay at kita. Dapat ay aktibo ang mga PESO sa rehiyon sa pagbibigay ng tulong na makapasok sa trabaho ang mga displaced workers upang mapunan ang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya,” said Angara, vice chairman of the Senate labor committee.
Since violence erupted on May 23, around 400,000 people have been displaced, with many living in host communities or in evacuation centers across Mindanao.
Most of the displaced families took refuge in neighboring communities in Lanao Del Norte, Iligan and Cagayan De Oro.
The veteran legislator has worked for the passage of Republic Act 10691 that strengthens the PESO Act to ensure that all provinces, municipalities, cities and other strategic areas throughout the country will have their respective public employment service offices.
“Dahil sa batas na ito, lahat ng Pilipinong nangangailangan ng trabaho ay mayroon nang matatakbuhan para sa mas mabilis at epektibong job facilitation services. Dapat ay bigyang prayoridad ng PESO ang ating mga kababayan na napilitang lumikas ng Marawi at makitira sa kanilang mga kanas o kaibigan sa ibang parte ng Mindanao,” he said.
The seasoned lawmaker likewise lauded the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for allocating P30 million for its Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) workers program, which now provides emergency employment assistance to nearly 2,300 displaced workers.
Worker beneficiaries of TUPAD shall be provided with short-term employment, and will receive P338 per day for 30 days of rendering work or service particularly on social community and agro-forestry projects.