Marikina hires 206 street cleaners

At least 206 street-cleaning volunteers were hired by the city government of Marikina as project-based employees of the City Environmental Management Office (CEMO) this year, Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro said yesterday.

Most of them have been volunteers since previous administrations, but it is only now they were given a chance to earn higher.

“We really worked it out so that there will be a budget for their employment, so that they can earn money, and not only an allowance,” Teodoro said.

The mayor met with the volunteers last Wednesday to tell them about the good news and sign their contracts making them CEMO employees tasked to ensure the cleanliness of the city.

It was learned that most of the volunteers have been working since 2005 or for the past 14 years, rendering four hours community work every day and receiving an allowance of P150.

“If before they only rendered four hours volunteer work, now we will make their duty eight hours so that they may earn the minimum wage. Before they only received about P4,000 monthly allowance, just enough for their fare and snacks. That’s why we did our best to hire them,” Teodoro said.

Prior to their employment, they will undergo a skill test in order to assess them. The mayor said they will also have to write an essay on how they could help Marikina, and why they love the city.

The employees will also undergo financial literacy seminars for them to effectively handle their finances.