Workers of tourism-related establishments in the municipality of Lambunao in Iloilo affected by the health pandemic have found temporary jobs through the emergency employment program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Lambunao tourism officer Jennifer L. Osorio, in an interview Tuesday, said 145 workers from 14 establishments were recipients of the emergency employment under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan Para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) of the DOLE in partnership with the Iloilo provincial government through the provincial tourism office.

“The first batch is composed of 51 workers who rendered work since Sept. 15 and will end on Sept. 25 while the second batch is currently preparing their documents,” she said.

They will be paid PHP395 daily for 10 days.

“They have been tasked to clean and beautify their respective establishments and other sites determined by the local government unit,” she added.

On May 22 this year, the provincial government through Executive Order 163 has suspended the operations of facilities in tourism, recreation, and accommodation as a means to reduce public mobility and curb cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Identified the EO as tourism, recreation, and accommodation establishments are beach and inland resorts; water, amusement, and ecological parks; hotels, tourist inns; motels; pension houses; apartment hotels; private homes used for homestay; eco-lodges; serviced apartments; condotels; and bed and breakfast establishments.

The facilities, on the other hand, refer to swimming pools, cottages, beaches, playgrounds, game rooms, function rooms, dining halls, function rooms, food stations, dance halls, and bars.

She added that currently some of the establishments have resumed their operations, except for the resorts. (PNA)