SOME 10,000 disadvantaged workers in Metro Manila will be hired under a P220-million emergency employment program aimed at clearing waterways and drainage systems before heavy rains intensify this year.
The initiative, funded through the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad), combines flood mitigation with short-term employment as the government ramps up preparations for the rainy season.
The program was launched following the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Dole and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday.
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino said the cleanup drive seeks to reduce flood risks while protecting communities from diseases commonly associated with stagnant floodwaters.
‘It is timely that we are signing this memorandum of agreement as the rainy season approaches. Cleaning esteros, canals and drainage systems is not only about protecting communities from flooding but also preventing diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis,’ Tolentino said.
The P220-million allocation will fund workers tasked with declogging drainage systems, cleaning esteros and waterways, and carrying out waste segregation in flood-prone communities across the metropolis.
An initial 500 beneficiaries were deployed on July 1, while another 3,600 workers are being profiled by Dole’s National Capital Region Office, the MMDA and participating local governments.
The MMDA will provide training on waste segregation and material recovery to support the cleanup operations.
Tolentino said the Bayanihan sa Estero program under Tupad is expected to strengthen flood prevention efforts while providing temporary income opportunities for vulnerable workers.
‘I am confident that the massive cleanup drive and the Bayanihan sa Estero program under Tupad will greatly benefit our communities,’ he said.
The government expects the program to help improve the flow of waterways and drainage systems, which are often clogged by solid waste and contribute to flooding during heavy downpours.
The cleanup drive also reflects the government’s continued use of emergency employment programs to address both seasonal risks and short-term livelihood needs.