CEBU, Philippines - It is dusk again, another night in candles. But I am no longer worried as much as before because I can see glimpses of “normalcy†in Tacloban City coming today; fuel and rice supply have started to stabilize, and more “good news†from the meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Manangement Council yesterday.
Foremost in the NDRRMC’s “good news†is that DOLE had put up a P50-million fund for emergency employment program offering blue-collar jobs for at least 12,500 persons.
Work will be focused on clearing, repair and rehabilitation of the affected areas. Those employed will receive a pay of minimum wage equivalent in the region, according to Rebecca Chato, DOLE undersecretary.
Interested people will be screened by LGUs, which will supervise the hired workers, said DOLE.
Other “good news,†per NDRRMC meeting presided by Secretary Mar Roxas are:
1) Citi Hardware in Tacloban City will open in a few days; 2)Street lights will be restored in a few days time and priority will be along main supply routes in Tacloban City; 3) Landbank and DBP will open anytime this week (soonest will be on Nov. 18); and 4) mobile ATM and Mobile Store will also roam around the Tacloban City anytime soon. (FREEMAN)