Jobs scheme deploys workers for estero cleanup

ABOUT 10,000 workers in Metro Manila will be mobilized to clear vital drainage systems in an emergency employment scheme designed to mitigate urban flooding and disease outbreaks.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said it signed a memorandum of agreement with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to expand the reach of the “Bayanihan sa Estero” program. 

The program is backed by a P220-million allocation from the DoLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers budget, which provides a temporary economic safety net to residents in high-risk urban areas.

The DoLE said workers will be expected to declog drainage systems, clean waterways, and segregate waste in densely-populated Metro Manila neighborhoods. 

On June 4, the government weather service, known as PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), officially declared the onset of the rainy season, driven by the southwesterly winds known as the habagat.

As of early July, eight tropical cyclones have transited the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino, who led the signing ceremony alongside MMDA Chairman Romando S. Artes, said the use of temporary labor ensures public safety during the monsoon. 

He said the manual clearing of esteros, canals, and drainage systems will be a primary defense against the spread of waterborne illnesses.

According to Mr. Tolentino, the typical rainy-season diseases include dengue and leptospirosis, which spread due to standing water and flooding, respectively.

“Coming together for an initiative to clean waterways… isn’t just about keeping our citizens safe from possible flood damage, but also about preventing diseases,” Mr. Tolentino said.

According to the DoLE, aside from the physical labor of cleaning, the program will include a technical training component for the beneficiaries focusing on efficient waste segregation and material recovery.

“On July 1, DoLE will deploy 500 qualified beneficiaries to declog drainage systems, clean local waterways, and implement waste segregation,” the department said.

“The MMDA will support the team by conducting orientation sessions on efficient waste segregation and material recovery practices,” it added.

The DoLE National Capital Region office is profiling with the assistance of local government units an additional 3,600 workers for potential deployment. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking