A total of 1,251 residents from various barangays in Mati City, Davao Oriental, received cash aid under the work for cash program of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In a statement sent, DOLE-Region 11 said the beneficiaries of its Emergency Employment Program (EEP) are composed of vendors, fisherfolk, and other temporary workers who received PHP3,960 each or a total amount of nearly PHP5 million.

DOLE-11, in cooperation with the city officials, distributed the cash aid to recipients in Barangays Lawigan, Bobon, Tagbinonga, Mayo, Libudon, Mamali, Don Salvador Lopez, Macambol, Taguibo, Don Enrique Lopez, Dawan, and Don Martin Marundan.

DOLE provincial director Rodolfo Castro Jr. said the national agency allocated PHP5 million for the emergency employment of Mati residents, while the local government added PHP5 million more as a support to the program.

“The job entails the cleaning up of each barangay beneficiaries to prevent the spread of various diseases brought about by a dirty environment,” Castro said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michelle Rabat expressed her gratitude to DOLE-11 for the temporary employment provided to residents.

“I hope for more partnership with DOLE in the future so that those who have no work would be given temporary jobs while at the same time help in the cleanup of their respective barangays,” Rabat said.

In September, DOLE 11 and the City Government of Mati also released the salary of 2,518 workers tapped for the EEP. (PNA)