Workers laid off by Mactan export firms get aid

Workers at a factor in the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) (Photo from the Facebook account of the MEPZ Workers Association)

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — At least 4,203 workers laid off by garment companies at the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) in Lapu-Lapu City were given cash and food aid by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Shalaine Lucero, the DSWD Central Visayas field office director, said the department allocated P21 million for the cash aid and P2.3 million for the food packs for workers let go by five companies at the MEPZ.

Each worker received family food packs and cash assistance ranging from P2,000 to P5,000, depending on the length of service.

Lapu-Lapu Councilor Annabeth Cuizon, council committee chair on social welfare, earlier asked Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo to assist the workers.

“In the midst of economic difficulties, it is very difficult to lose employment and it is urgent for the local government to step in and provide assistance to our residents who are included in the retrenchment,” read the resolution authored by Cuizon.

The Lapu-Lapu government will hold a special job fair, in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment, on Oct. 7 and provide skills training, with the assistance of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), for the displaced workers.

Kim Francisco, head of the city’s Public Employment Services Office, said Tesda would open 100 slots for call center training and 25 slots for electronic product assembly and servicing.

—ADOR VINCENT MAYOL

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