Construction workers stranded in Pasay due to quarantine resort to begging

Nearly 200 construction workers in Pasay City resort to begging to buy food after work was temporarily ceased amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's 24 Oras report on Wednesday, 170 construction workers were stranded in their barracks in Pasay City since the lockdown took effect on March 17. Most of them are from Visayas and Mindanao.

Aside from being stranded, the construction workers were abandoned by their employer and were only given P1,000.

Without money for their daily sustenance, they resorted to begging on the streets.  

"Nanlimos na kami para lang may makain dito. Lahat ng sasakyan, hinarang namin. Ang hirap talaga eh, walang makain," Eliver Lomojo said.

Some of the workers even climbed the coconut tree in front of their barracks just to assuage their hunger.

"Wala na po eh. Hindi na kami binibisita dito (ng employer)," Domingo Lagon, the foreman, said.

On Tuesday, the Pasay City government distributed relief goods to the workers.

According to Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, she has talked to the employer, who promised to distribute food and essentials to the workers.

She added her office is always open if they need more help.

"Nag-promise po sila at kami naman kung talagang kulang, nandito pa rin kami sa abot ng aming makakayanan," Rubiano said.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority offered help to bring home workers residing in Luzon.

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the Luzon-wide quarantine until April 30 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News