Cebu City to test project providing jobs for single moms

A KIBBUTZ-inspired project aimed at providing work to single mothers will be tested in the next few months in Cebu City.

This developed after the Cebu City government partnered with Azpired, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company that will pilot the project for single mothers.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the the project would aim to build a community where single mothers and their children would have the opportunity to live and work in a communal life.

“A lot of people are interested, but they cannot be hired right away. First we need to do a study,” the mayor said in a press briefing on Monday.

The project is patterned on the system of the Israeli kibbutz, a form of collective communal settlement in Israel where occupants go to the same workplace. They have a common kitchen and are provided with the basic facilities.

“The first step is to gather these people who are interested, and then one call center will evaluate all of them and see who will get the job, and the rest are eliminated temporarily,” Osmena said.

To address traffic and transportation concerns, he said the building would be built near Cebu I.T Park.

He said that the city would provide basic needs to minimize their expenses and maximize time with their children.

“Meals will be made and served communally so you don’t have to spend time cooking. There will be savings from economy of scale to minimize the cost of your food, laundry, housing supplies, etc.,” he said.

In the first phase, he said the city is targeting to hire a group of 100 to 200 single mothers.

For now, the city will hold a consultation process for six months.

Those chosen to participate in the consultation process would be paid P1,000 a month. The consultations would also be coursed through social media.
When implemented, each hired working mother will be paid P5,000 per month.

Kevin Chua, city administrative aide, said at least 50 single moms had already filled out the registration forms on Monday.

“We welcome all single mothers. In fact, not just Cebu City even outside the city. For now, we are having the consultations for us to know their concerns and suggestions. The mayor wants to know if there is clamor since this is a pioneering project in the Philippines,” he said.

Chua said the registration had already started on Monday at the 9th floor of the City Hall.

Orientations are being conducted in the morning and applicants will be screened by Azpired in the afternoon.

Chua said they will hold the registration throughout this week.