By Eddie O. Barrita
CEBU CITY, Nov. 20 (PNA) — Bogo City and Medellin town in northern Cebu have launched an employment program for typhoon victims who will help clean up debris left by super typhoon Yolanda.
Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. said the city government has mobilized more than 1,500 residents to clean up their villages.
Each worker will be paid P150 a day.
Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, on the other hand, said the municipal government will give rice, canned goods and other basic items to those who will volunteer to clean streets, schools and other public areas, as well as their surroundings.
Bogo City and Medellin launched the program to wean typhoon survivors from doleouts.
“This is meant to prevent people from becoming dependent. It will also help the local economy,” Martinez said.
Funds to be used in the program will come from Bogo City’s remaining calamity fund of about P25 million, Martinez said.
Bogo began its “cash for work” program last Monday, while Medellin started Wednesday its “food for work” program with the first batch of barangays.
Martinez said Bogo City will give out food items next week instead of cash.
He said the program involves 50 residents from small barangays and 100 persons from the more populated barangays of the city’s 29 villages.
“Food for work program is meant to involve victims in rebuilding the town to discourage the culture of mendicancy,” said Ramirez in a press statement.
Ramirez announced that the Municipal Hall will stop distributing free relief goods and affected residents will have to work to avail themselves of food packs.
Ramirez said the municipal government will tap one member per family so that all households would be able to participate.
Ramirez said the town is gradually getting back on its feet.
“Sari-sari stores have opened, fruit and vegetable vendors at little corner markets have come back to sell,” he said.
He said some consumers went to the municipal hall Monday wanting to pay their water bills, although they were told water systems and offices were damaged so they can just keep their payments until everything is restored.
He urged those who want to help the town to donate housing materials instead of food, “so people can rebuild their houses and their lives.” (PNA)