Hispanic workforce stands out in Philly cleanup work

After the floods that affected Philadelphia homes and businesses with the impact of Ida’s remnants last week, the Hispanic workforce stands out in the debris removal and cleanup works. This important task did not stop with the Labor Day celebration.

“We have a lot of work everywhere. One day here, one day there,” Rigoberto, one of those in charge of cleaning the streets of Philadelphia, told reporters from Telemundo 62. The important contribution of the Hispanic labor force is significant to the city’s recovery. “We are the ones who build and demolish,” said the worker.

Beginning today, inspectors from the City of Philadelphia’s licensing department with the cooperation of FEMA, PEMA and the small business association will begin surveying affected locations. On the list are East Falls, Manayunk and Center City.

“They have fixed up quite a bit and cleaned up quite a bit that is why they are already moving cars on the road,” shared Miguel Gonzalez, who has also joined in the cleanup efforts. “It was incredible what happened, even here, there were houses and it demolished them.”

You can read: Josh Shapiro warns residents of home repair scams after Hurricane Ida

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, cleanup from Hurricane Ida’s remnants will take months, Philadelphia officials said last week, and they’re still assessing damage from the city’s worst flood in more than a century.

“Philadelphia has not experienced such extreme flooding in any of our lifetimes,” Mayor Jim Kenney said at a news conference.

Stephen Lorenz, chief highway engineer for the Streets Department, said more than 75 city workers and more than 50 pieces of equipment were involved in cleaning up Main Street in Manayunk and Kelly Drive on Friday.

High cost

While the total cost of the storm damage in Southeastern Pennsylvania has not been determined, state officials said they are confident the state will qualify for federal emergency relief aid.

A state must experience $19 million in damages to public infrastructure in order to qualify, said Randy Padfield, director of Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.