Over 4K workers lose jobs in Mactan ecozone

A total of 4,203 workers lost their jobs after the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) trimmed down its employees due to the high price of petroleum products.

According to a report by Lou-Anne Mae Rondina on "24 Oras," most employees were from apparel companies selling products outside the country.

In a statement, MEPZ said they were forced to cut workers because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Typhoon Odette, and the current global recession.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has offered assistance and for food packs to the workers .

DSWD said a maximum of P5,000 pesos would be distributed to each affected employee, and not everyone is guaranteed to receive the financial assistance.

A job fair was also be held in the area to provide job opportunities to the former ecozone workers.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA News