BAGUIO CITY — The City Council is considering a new law to provide a financial safety net for local workers sidelined by economic crises or natural disasters.
During its regular session Monday, March 23, the council deliberated on Proposed Ordinance 0078-26, authored by Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr., titled the Baguio City Emergency Employment Program (BC-EEP), seeks to provide short-term job interventions for residents affected by “natural and human-induced catastrophes.”
The program outlines two specific streams of assistance based on the severity and nature of the displacement.
These includes cash for work, which is a short-term relief intervention lasting no more than 10 days, focusing on immediate disaster preparedness and relief efforts and the ‘Kalingang Manggagawa,’ a longer-term placement lasting between one and four months, designed to augment the city’s human resource needs across various government programs.
Under the proposal, beneficiaries would receive pay in accordance with the mandated minimum wage for the Cordillera Administrative Region.
However, the ordinance allows for higher compensation for professional or highly skilled workers, with pay scales subject to negotiation based on established salary grades.
To qualify, applicants must be a bona fide resident of Baguio City, classified as a “distressed” worker or professional, at least 18 years old, and able to read and write (unless the specific job does not require it).
The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will oversee the program, tasked with creating specific guidelines and coordinating with various city departments. All hired workers must undergo an orientation covering safety protocols, duties, and compensation before starting.
The ordinance also grants the city mayor the authority to shorten or extend employment durations based on necessity. Juleana Christe Sarmiento/UP Baguio Intern