Package of Assistance FOR Families of Victims of Eton Tragedy in Rp, Dole Sets
by Whether, Filipino workers belong from upper, middle or lower class, they really deserve to enjoy their hard-earned money. Employers should bear in their minds that they ought to immediately provide the needed assistance for their employees in times of their needs, for many times their workers are, even, risking their lives just to fulfill their jobs.
(Manila, Philippines)
A ‘Package of Assistance’ which includes livelihood will be very soon provided for the families of the 10 construction workers who unfortunately perished at the Eton Residences Greenbelt tragedy in Makati City recently, while, scholarship grants will be given for the victims’ children to help them recover from the tragic loss of their loved ones as disclosed by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.
Labor and Employment Chief said, “Aside from determining the extent of liabilities of the victims’ employers and to ensure that the latter will pay once their liabilities are clearly established, the DOLE task force created for such purpose is also readying a package of assistance for the victims’ families.”
DOLE Secretary Baldoz believed the assistance would surely aid to the victims’ loved ones to enable them to cope up with economically and socially form the loss of their kin who could either be the family’s breadwinner or simply providing needed economic support.
Baldoz mentioned the family of a 17-year old Kevin Mabunga, one of the victims, would be the first to be assisted by the department as the DOLE field office in Marinduque right away contacted Kevin’s kin in the said province.
She disclosed, “Our investigation showed that Kevin was still a minor and, therefore, was not supposed to be working at the accident’s site.”
DOLE Chief Baldoz pointed out that Kevin’s employer is accountable if found violating the law against child labor, particularly Republic Act (RA) 7610 also known as an “Act providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination, and for other purposes”.
She noted under the said law, employers are liable who hire minors without securing an employment permit for the minors.
She also cited the delivery of assistance for the victims of the Eton Residences Greenbelt tragedy which occurred in January 27, 2011, is being fast tracked by DOLE-NCR regional director Raymundo Agravante and has prioritized Kevin’s kin in Marinduque in the provision of assistance.
Agravante, with marching order from DOLE Secretary Baldoz, immediately coordinated with DOLE Region IV-B director Zenaida Angara to trace Kevin’s family in Buenavista, town in Marinduque.
DOLE Region IV-B director Angara reported to DOLE Chief Baldoz that Kevin’s father, coconut farm keeper, will be assisted in setting up a bee keeping project being a productive livelihood source in Buenavista in the said province.
Angara disclosed, “The regional office will negotiate with the association of beekeepers in Buenavista to provide Kevin’s family with a colony of bees even if the family is not a member of the association, which was earlier granted a DOLE livelihood assistance fund.”
Furthermore, the regional office is working on the opportunity of enrolling Kevin’s brother named Brian, under the DOLE’s special program for the employment of students (SPES) which enables students from underprivileged families aged 15 to 25 years old to work and earn a living during seminar and Christmas vacations, in partnership with DOLE connections in the regions.
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