The Department of Labor and Employment has allocated P72.6 million to hire 6,000 interns to be deployed in 10 areas in Batangas to assist thousands of residents affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that under the DOLE’s Government Internship Program, 600 interns each will be posted to the affected areas of Lemery, Mataas na Kahoy, Agoncillo, Laurel, Talisay, Taal, San Nicolas, Balite, San Jose, and Sta. Teresita.
Bello said the program aims to provide temporary employment to the affected residents and at the same time help the local government units in the rehabilitation efforts.
The interns will be engaged for a period 30 days and will receive a salary of P12,050, which is equivalent to the prevailing minimum wage in the region.
The interns will also be entitled to insurance coverage under the Government Service Insurance System.
The DOLE-GIP is open to beneficiaries who are 18 years old and above who must have no work experience or with intermittent work experience, and at least graduates of high school/senior high school or its equivalent level under the Alternative Learning System, or graduates of a technical-vocational course.
Earlier, Bello handed over in-kind donations such as rice, water, canned goods, noodles, biscuits, and N95 face masks from the private sector during the situation briefing at the Batangas Provincial Sports Complex.
The Philippine National Police on Friday sent more than 1,000 cops to help in the evacuation and other disaster response efforts in areas affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
The police officers are members of the Reactionary Standby Support Force headed by Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo.
PNP Chief of the Directorial Staff, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said 693 police officers were deployed to Batangas and 324 in Cavite.
The police officers deployed to Cavite and Batangas were given face masks and goggles for their protection.
“This is the time for you to show what you are trained for, what you are capable to do in the name of peace and order, of public service,” Eleazar said in a speech during the send-off ceremony at Camp Crame.
He said PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa approved the deployment of the police officers, citing that the latter deemed it necessary for the policemen who were earlier deployed in the disaster-hit areas to take a rest.
Most of the policemen who will be replaced will be given the opportunity to visit their families and relatives, also affected by the Taal Volcano eruption, he said.
“Most of the policemen who were tapped for disaster response since Sunday are local residents of affected areas in Batangas and Cavite. They also have affected families and relatives but they chose to serve because of the call of duty,” he said.
He said the priority of the deployed forces is to assure the maintenance of peace and order in the areas.
The Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development sent their staff to address psychosocial problems that might be experienced by Taal victims.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said measures are in place to manage mental health issues that could possibly arise in affected areas.
“We don’t want the trauma to be lingering that will affect the victims’ quality of life and the way they deal with others,” Duque said.
Duque also said the DOH sent health assessment teams and surveillance officers who are on the lookout to avoid outbreaks of diseases in evacuation centers.
He said the top diseases experienced by evacuees are acute respiratory problems due to ashfall, as well as hypertension, diarrhea and skin diseases.
The health secretary also appealed to the private sector to contribute portalets, citing the need for sanitation of thousands of evacuees.
READ: 40,000 people bear brunt of Taal eruption
The National Capital Region Police Office on Friday said it will donate P3.5 million to residents affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption.
In a press briefing at the Quezon City Police District Station 10, NCRPO acting chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said this is the projected amount that will be collected from the pooled donations from the combat pay of police officers on a voluntary basis.
He said the donations from the police personnel must be given voluntarily.
From their P3,000 monthly combat pay, policemen may donate a day’s amount which is equivalent to P100.
Meanwhile, Sinas and other ranking officials, with the rank of Colonel and up, will donate their whole combat pay.
He said this is to augment funds collected from the voluntary donation drive initiated by PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa where each police officer and non-uniformed personnel is encouraged to donate P10.
Police officers who were affected by the disaster, however, are exempted from the donation drive.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go led the distribution of relief and financial aid to the victims affected by the Taal Volcano eruption during a visit to the Department of Health Rehabilitation Center in Tagaytay City.
The Office of the President, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, turned over financial assistance to affected local government units to help them respond to the needs of their constituents.
Go echoed the Duterte administration’s firm commitment to provide continued support for immediate recovery and rehabilitation of affected areas. With MJ Blancaflor
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