An initial PHP200 million would be allocated to provide job assistance for Northern Luzon workers affected by Typhoon Egay, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Tuesday.

“Our regional offices in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley will extend needed assistance, in coordination with affected LGUs and other government departments, particularly temporary emergency employment,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in a phone interview.

“More or less some PHP200 million have been earmarked for the affected regions,” he added.

On the other hand, the DOLE chief noted that there may be an increase in the budget, in case it is needed, after the profiling of beneficiaries.

“Allocated amounts are initial and have to be adjusted depending on identified beneficiaries as well as funds availability,” Laguesma said.

The emergency employment program is a community-based assistance, wherein displaced workers are employed for a minimum period of 10 to 30 days.

The workers will be paid based on the existing minimum wage in the region.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that there are 2,397,336 individuals or 654,837 families that were affected by Egay. (PNA)