DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) -- About a thousand workers in the city have benefited from the emergency employment program under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
DOLE has partnered with the Dumaguete City government to provide emergency employment to marginalized residents to alleviate their economic difficulties.
According to DOLE information officer Raizza Rubia, the agency has distributed P4.5 million to the beneficiaries after they rendered community services for 10 days.
TUPAD worker Mary Antonette Ramirez, 48, from Barangay Looc said the program has been a big help in addressing the financial needs of her family.
“Ako manilhig ko gikan sa dalan sa boulevard padung ngadto sa pantalan mga 10 ka adlaw,” said Ramirez.
(I swept the streets along the boulevard up to the sea port for 10 days.)
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, Ramirez said the money she earned from TUPAD helped pay for the school supplies needed by her five children.
“Mao na ang akong sweldo nagamit ug palit dili lamang school supplies, nakapalit sad ko ug bugas ug groceries,” she said.
(I used my salary not only to buy their school supplies but also for rice and groceries.)
“At least, dakong tabang namo labi na tung walay permaninteng income,” she added.
(At least, this has been a big help especially to us who have no permanent income.)
Each beneficiary received P4,680 for the 10-day work assigned to them by their respective barangays.
The emergency work involved community tasks such as street sweeping, de-clogging of canals, and cutting vegetation and grasses.
The workers came from barangays Poblacion 3, Bagacay, Poblacion 6, Balugo, Banilad, Cadawinonan, Camanjac, Candau-ay, Cantil-e, Mangnao, Motong, Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Poblacion 7, Poblacion 8, Tabuc-tubig, Taclobo, Bajumpandan, Bantayan, Batinguel, Buñao, Calindagan, Candau-ay, Daro, Junob, Looc, Piapi, Pulantubig, and Talay.
Rubia said in addition to the wages, the beneficiaries were covered by a group personal accident insurance (GPAI) through the Government Service Insurance System for one year.
DOLE also provided them with personal protective equipment.
Roger Destor, 43, is another resident who benefited from TUPAD after his mother left for Manila to work and left his two siblings in his care.
“Maayo gani niadtung higayona nakatrabaho ko sa TUPAD, kay standby ra biya ko diri sa Barangay Looc, naka tabang-tabang ko ako mga manghod sa pagkaon ug bayad sa utang,” said Destor.
(Good thing I was listed for the TUPAD program at that time, because I was just a bystander here in Barangay Looc. I was able to help my younger siblings and buy food and pay our debts.)
TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for disadvantaged or displaced workers, underemployed, and seasonal workers. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
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