By John Clifford Lintao
RESIDENTS in the battered Catanduanes province in the Bicol region are being considered in a cash-for-work program embarking on cleaning up and repairing damages resulting from the havoc of super typhoon Rolly.
In a radio interview, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello hinted at hiring some 5,000 workers living in the province, adding that the Department of Labor and Employment has provided financial aid to Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua, who earlier sought for it.
“Nararapat lamang na meron tayong 5,000 workers na magtatrabaho ng 15 days at suwelduhan natin sila ng minimum wage sa region,” he said.
Bello said those who could avail of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program are informal workers in the region, including sidewalk vendors, tricycle drivers, laundry women and sari-sari store vendors.
Aside from Catanduanes, the TUPAD program will also be held in the province of Albay.
The workers will earn a minimum wage salary with the program.
Super Typhoon Rolly caused heavy damage to infrastructure in Catanduanes after it slammed over the municipality of Bato before dawn on Sunday on November 1.