ILO: Bohol quake affected half a million workers

MANILA, Philippines - The magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Central Visayas on Oct. 15 has affected almost half a million workers, the International Labor Organization (ILO) reported yesterday.

ILO said one of the hardest hit areas was Loon town, where about 3,000 people depend on fishing for their livelihood.            

Lawrence Jeff Johnson, ILO country officer for the Philippines, said the crisis is an opportunity to build a future for the victims and ensure that the people are not left vulnerable or exploited.

He said the ILO has raised $220,000 for the victims of the earthquake in Bohol and the crisis in Zamboanga, and is seeking additional support from their international partners.              

ILO said thousands of fishermen were displaced because Loon’s shoreline rose following the quake and sulphur emissions affected the water.

“Sea grasses and mangroves are slowly drying up that resulted to reduced fish catch and income for the people of Loon,” it said.

ILO said the quake also cut off major roads and bridges that it now takes three hours – from just 30 minutes in the past – to travel from the city to Loon.

“The damage resulting from the quake impacted on the people’s access to basic services and livelihood opportunities,” the ILO said, while stressing the need for the government to focus on livelihood first.

Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez said the government must prioritize programs that would provide alternative livelihood for the people of Bohol.

“When people are given the opportunity to earn money, you restore their dignity and hope to rebuild their broken lives and homes,” he said.

He expressed support for a sustainable approach to ensure the livelihoods of his citizens.

Lopez has been pushing for a comprehensive livelihood strategy that would provide free skills training on carpentry and masonry, noting that damage to agriculture and fisheries compounded the need for better jobs and livelihood opportunities.

Danger zones

Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has recommended the evacuation of residents in areas in Bohol that were identified as danger zones due to the presence of sinkholes.

MGB director Leo Jasareno said local officials should immediately order the evacuation of residents and workers in Barangay Poblacion 1 in Tagbilaran City and Barangay Taloto, Tagbilaran and Panggangan Island.

A team from the MGB is conducting geological mapping in Bohol, where sinkholes have formed following the earthquake. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Danny Dangcalan