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$2.8M disaster relief employment aid
The CNMI Department of Labor’s Workforce Investment Agency received last Wednesday $2,762,345 through the National Dislocated Worker Grant (formerly the National Emergency Grant) from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration for U.S. citizens in the CNMI who became displaced or unemployed as a result of the impact by Typhoon Mangkhut on Rota and Super Typhoon Yutu on Saipan and Tinian.
This grant is designed to help U.S citizens on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, who meet WIOA eligibility requirements and were unemployed because of a natural disaster, who have been long-term unemployed (six months or more), or who are dislocated workers.
The grant provides funding for recipients to conduct debris clean up at assigned areas and other related disaster assistance.
The grant was originally intended for Typhoon Mangkhut, and now the CNMI is authorized to use the funds as a first phase of funding for Super Typhoon Yutu. DOL WIA will be announcing more details as information becomes available.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres expressed his gratitude for the swift action of the U.S. Department of Labor in awarding this important grant.
“We need to all come together and work toward restoring our islands by helping those who are also trying to find work or gainful employment during recovery. I am looking forward to more grant and other funding assistance to help our workforce,” he said.
Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente said that her department had “been working hard to implement this grant way before we got notice of it this morning. We empathize with our valued workforce and organizations as we are all affected by these typhoons. We will be formally announcing locations and when to apply once we secure safe and functional facilities for the Department of Labor as required.”
For more information, contact the CNMI Department of Labor at the Joeten Dandan building or by calling 285-7863, 285-4243 or 287-6956. (PR)
