ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 through its Zamboanga City Field Office (ZCFO) in partnership with the local government unit of Barangay Baliwasan released salaries of 104 beneficiaries under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Disadvantaged/ Displaced (TUPAD) workers  in Baliwasan Central School. 

DOLE 9 Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe shared that a total amount of Php 492,960.00  was distributed in cash last August 6, 2021.

“With DOLE’s TUPAD program, we are able to assist displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers by providing them with emergency employment where we pay their wages in accordance with the regional minimum wage.

These beneficiaries are eligible for the program since they are self-employed and lost their livelihoods in a huge fire that razed almost 200 houses in the coast of Baliwasan sometime this year,” Director Buenafe added. 

Makaraya U. Adil, DOLE ZCFO Head, reported that each worker received an amount of Php 4,740.00 after rendering service for 15 days doing disinfection and sanitation activities in their barangay. 

“Aside from their wages, we also made sure that they were given personal protective equipment and were enrolled with the GSIS for group accident insurance in the course of their service,” Mr. Adil said. 

Roselyn Barrio, one of the purok leaders of said barangay expressed her gratitude for the TUPAD program. “Maraming maraming salamat po sa DOLE, malaki po ang naitulong ng TUPAD payout sa amin dahil dito meron kaming naibili sa gitna ng sakuna at pandemya. Para sa aking pamilya, nakabili po kame agad ng bigas at kahoy upang masimulan ng paunti-unti ang aming bahay. More power po kay Director Roy at kanyang mga staff, marami pa po sana kayong matulungan lalong lalo na ngayon na pandemya.” ###