MANILA – Some PHP2 billion under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program were provided to close to 400,000 beneficiaries from 10 regions that were affected by natural calamities the past months.
In a statement, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that from Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption early this year to the most recent typhoons, they have delivered a total of PHP2.045 billion in TUPAD assistance in hard-hit areas throughout the country.
A total of 381,513 individuals nationwide benefitted from the emergency employment interventions.
Last month, the DOLE mobilized the TUPAD program, providing PHP843 million worth of temporary wages to over 160,000 beneficiaries who were affected by two typhoons.
According to the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC), the Labor Department’s response to Typhoon Tino benefited 68,349 through emergency employment, amounting to over PHP363 million for Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Caraga.
Meanwhile, following Super Typhoon Uwan, the department assisted 91,699 workers with wages totaling PHP480 million in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol and Western Visayas.
In Central Visayas where Typhoon Tino hit, profiling and TUPAD orientations were ongoing to reach more workers as payouts continue.
In the province of Aurora and other areas devastated by Super Typhoon Uwan, TUPAD beneficiaries have been deployed to aid recovery efforts.
In addition to clearing operations, TUPAD beneficiaries were tapped for disaster rehabilitation efforts, including repairs and restoration of damaged houses.
DOLE also extended TUPAD emergency employment to workers affected by recent earthquakes in Visayas and Mindanao.
A total of 9,413 workers in Central Visayas received PHP55.9 million, and 5,726 workers in Davao and Caraga received PHP29 million.
Beyond emergency employment, the BWSC reported that 1,693 beneficiaries nationwide received livelihood grants totaling PHP19.5 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program following the onslaught of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, Mirasol, Nando and Opong. (PNA)