ZAMBOANGA CITY – Some 135 rubber workers of the Goodyear Agrarian Reform Multipurpose Cooperative (GARBEMCO) happily received their wages for the 10-day short-term employment provided by the Department of Labor and Employment 9 (DOLE 9).

DOLE 9 Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said that the assistance is a post-COVID intervention to aid distressed rubber cooperatives under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

Beneficiaries engaged in social community projects and community disinfection/sanitation activities with strict observance of social/physical distancing and the use of basic personal protective equipment (PPEs).

Assistant Regional Director Imelda F. Gatinao and staff from the DOLE Zamboanga Sibugay Field Office (ZSFO) witnessed the payment of wages facilitated by GARBEMCO as DOLE’s Accredited Co-Partner (ACP) at Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Each worker received the amount of PHP 3,160.00. Alriz E. Limaro, one of the recipients expressed gratitude to DOLE 9 saying, “Daghang salamat sa suporta nga gihatag sa DOLE tungod kay dako kining tabang namo sa among inadlaw nga panginahanglon niining panahon sa pandemic nga ubos ang among income. (We are thankful to DOLE for the support given during this time of pandemic. This will help us in our daily needs especially since we have low income.)

Krizly Yurag likewise thanked the Department for the aid –  “Dako jud akong pasalamat sa DOLE nga naapil sa maong programa kay nakatubag sa among panginahanglanon tungod kay lisod kaayo ang panginabuhian tungod sa COVID-19 pandemic. (Huge thanks to DOLE for including us in the program as it answered our needs in these challenging times due to COVID-19 pandemic).” END/KCG with reports from DOLE ZSFO