Hundreds of applicants flocked to Cainta Municipal Hall on Monday seeking employment for a massive cleanup initiative aimed at addressing the town’s persistent flooding problems. The effort will hire 400 individuals to clear clogged canals, drainages and other obstructions.

The recruitment drive follows a “flood summit” organized by Cainta Mayor Keith Nieto, held after more than a week of continuous rain led to widespread flooding in major thoroughfares and subdivisions.

“Our mission is to clean all clogged canals and discover condemned lines so they can be replaced and repaired,” Nieto said as he stressed the municipal government’s commitment to resolving the town’s perennial flood issues, which have displaced thousands of families.

“Walk-in applicants for the 400 people who will participate in the Imelda Avenue-wide drainage cleanup are ongoing. I sent them directly to the office for orientation so they know we are serious about the program,” the mayor posted on social media.

Nieto added that the project will last for three months, with workers earning P560 daily, based on discussions with Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Benny Laguesma.

The project will focus on 12 villages and subdivisions along Imelda Avenue that were severely impacted by recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat.

These areas include Vista Verde, Village East, Greenpark, Filinvest, Karangalan, Cypress, Country Homes, Kasibulan, Dacon Homes, Gruar, CVS Homes, Villa Olympia, Serra Monte, Eastville and Katarungan Village.

Homeowners’ associations in each subdivision will be responsible for reporting completed work to the municipality and submitting weekly scopes of work and timelines for completed streets to ensure output is monitored, Nieto explained.

The mayor also said that the local government will purchase all necessary materials for the workers and cited that individuals who perform exceptionally well may have a chance to be regularized after the three-month contract.