DOLE taps 'emergency' workers to repair quake-hit schools

HUNDREDS of quake-hit workers have been tapped by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to help ready classrooms in areas devastated by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in the Ilocos Region.

In a statement, DOLE-Ilocos Region Director Lawyer Evelyn Ramos said they have tapped worker-beneficiaries in the emergency employment program to help prepare schools for the coming start of classes on August 22.

"The labor input of these low-income individuals is maximized and harnessed at the Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education. We deployed our Tupad (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers) workers to lend a hand in these light repair works in classrooms damaged by the tremor," said Ramos.

This Tupad implementation in schools, along Brigada Eskwela, also serves as DOLE’s recovery and rehabilitation response to the effects of the strong earthquake, which hit Northern Luzon last week,” she added.

In Ilocos Norte, 450 emergency employment workers have been deployed in several schools, namely Dingras Elementary School (ES), Bagut ES, and San Marcelino National High School (NHS) all in Dingras town; Ilocos Norte Agricultural College in Pasuquin; and,

Nagrebcan ES in Badoc; and, Gabu NHS, RB Ablan ES, AP Santos ES, Calayab ES, Amarosa ES, Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades, all in Laoag City.

In Ilocos Sur, 800 Tupad workers helped in clearing and repair of damaged public facilities, and schools in their respective barangays in Vigan City and municipalities of Lidlida, Galimuyod, Sugpon, Caoayan, San Emilio, Salcedo, Santa Cruz, Santa, Quirino and San Ildefonso.

In La Union, 100 workers were distributed in the towns of San Gabriel, Bauang, Rosario and Sudipen to provide labor in schools such as Bauang North Central School; Duplas NHS; Rosario Integrated School; Balbalayang NHS and Zaragosa ES.

The said workers helped in the cleaning, refurbishing, repairing and readying of classrooms, school grounds, and other facilities for 15 days.

he worker-beneficiaries, in turn, are each set to receive a total wage of P5,550, or P370 per day, which is the minimum wage rate in the region.

In late July, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the Northern Luzon area, which triggered landslides and damaged several structures. (HDT/ SunStar Philippines)