Photo courtesy of Cebu City Police Office/Facebook.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it would provide assistance to workers affected by the Binaliw landfill tragedy and their families.
Employees’ Compensation Commission Executive Director Atty. Kaima Velasquez said the ECC coordinated with DOLE Central Visayas, the Social Security System (SSS), and employer Prime Waste Solutions Cebu to ensure benefits would be delivered promptly.
Velasquez added that the agency instructed its regional officer in Cebu to prioritize these cases and extend all possible support to affected workers and their families.
DOLE said families of deceased workers would receive death pensions, funeral benefits, and cash assistance, while injured workers could access disability benefits and medical reimbursements.
The landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, collapsed on January 8, burying workers under tons of garbage and structures at the facility operated by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc., killing at least 36 people.
The agency also said eligible victims would be offered employment under the Integrated Livelihood Program or the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) Workers Program.
DOLE assured that profiling and information-gathering activities were ongoing to make sure services were delivered quickly to affected workers and their families.