The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) awarded on Monday at least PHP2.16 million grants to the Leyte provincial government for emergency employment of 445 workers in three towns of the province.

Identified beneficiaries in the towns of Alangalang and Tolosa will be engaged in community gardening in public facilities and street cleaning, while workers of Palo town will conduct disinfection and sanitation.

After their 15-day work, each recipient will receive PHP4,875 as payment, or a daily wage of PHP325.

DOLE Eastern Visayas regional director Henry John Jalbuena turned over the checks to Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Alangalang Mayor Lovely Yu, Tolosa Vice Mayor Erwin Ocaña, and Palo Mayor Frances Ann Petilla.

Jalbuena assured the local government officials that DOLE would continue to work tirelessly for the benefit of Eastern Visayas’ informal sector workers.

“As your co-worker in the government, we assure you that we are doing all that we can for the benefit and welfare of our workers here in the region,” Jalbuena said in a statement.

The DOLE’s cash grant is under TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days depending on the nature of work to be performed. (PNA)