City helps stranded laborers

Nine construction workers from Pampanga who got stranded in the city following a disagreement with their employer in Camp John Hay received assistance from the city government through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer (OCSWDO).

A concerned citizen brought to the city’s attention the plight of the laborers who spent four nights from July 19-22 at the Melvin Jones grandstand after they got evicted from their accommodation in Asin Road.OCSWDO Heads Liza Bulayungan and Cynthia Lagangan said that based on the report of social workers Jek Bareño and Hannah Rose Castro, the workers complained that their employer did not deliver on the promised benefits, particularly free meals, transportation and accommodation.

Based on the report, they learned of the job opportunity through Facebook post and upon contact with the agency were offered “appealing benefits.”

“They were assured by the agency that their travel expenses from Sasmuan, Pampanga to Baguio City would be covered. However, after arriving in Baguio City on July 8, 2025 and proceeding to their designated accommodation in Asin Road Barangay, they found themselves unexpectedly responsible for city services fees and unprovided meals which they did not argue with the agency,” the report said.

“They received their salary after a week which they carefully budgeted to augment their daily consumption. Later, the agency demanded them to cover their transportation fare in going to their working site (to) which (they) disagreed. Moreover, they got evicted from their boarding house on July 19, 2025, since the agency did not pay their rent. Since then, they spent their night at Melvin Jones until they were endorsed at the (OCSWDO).”

Upon learning of their case, the social workers located the workers and brought them to the office where they were given psychological first aid and food assistance.Financial assistance and food packs were also provided under the Balik-Probinsya Program of the office.

They were also endorsed by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in their point of origin for further assistance and interventions for the clients and their families. – Aileen P. Refuerzo