PALO, Leyte- Thirty-five residents from the villages of San Fernando, Baras, and Candahug, all in this city, availed of the cash –for- work program spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT-8). The beneficiaries cleaned the McArthur National Shrine and Park from September 29 to October 4 and October 15 to 18 respectively or before it was used for the 70th Leyte Gulf Landings last October 20. According to Joana De la Cruz, TDA manager of North East Leyte, the residents were divided into five groups with six laborers and a coordinator.

The 30 laborers received P3, 400 representing their 10 days of work while P5, 000 were given to the coordinators. “P260 per day and P80 meal allowance was given to the workers while P500 for the five coordinators,” De la Cruz said. “Coordinators were given bigger amount than the laborers because they are the ones who monitor the program’s standing, the attendance of the workers and served as the eyes of the DOT,” she added. For the first six days, each received P2, 040 and for the four days P1, 360. The coordinators on the other hand received P3, 000 and for the four days, P2, 000. The local government unit of Palo selected the beneficiaries. (LOVELY HAZEL M. VALDE, LNU Intern)