Retrenched Mactan Economic Zone workers get P18.2 million in aid

Workers in a factory in the Mactan Export Zone. (File photo from Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed P18.2 million in cash assistance and family food packs to 3,744 retrenched workers of the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ), the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

This was the DSWD response to a Lapu-Lapu City Council resolution requesting Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo to assist the workers.

The workers were laid off due to the downsizing of five firms in the zone in the face of a looming global recession, according to the management of the firms.

Their financial situation was also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette, supply chain issues, increasing gas prices, and the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has resulted in unstable operations.

—CATHERINE DABU (TRAINEE)

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