ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 9 celebrated its 87th Founding Anniversary with various activities and assistance to clients yesterday.With the theme “Ang DOLE sa ika-87 na Taon: Bayanihang Pagtugon sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon”, DOLE 9 joined in the simultaneous National and International Payout of its Bayanihan 2 Programs namely COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program.

Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe shared in an interview that DOLE 9 paid a total of PHP 1,531,020.00 in wages and financial assistance to 323 beneficiaries across Zamboanga Peninsula thru M Lhuillier Branches during the simultaneous payout.

CAMP Beneficiaries, whose companies are temporarily or permanently closed, received Php 5,000.00 while TUPAD Beneficiaries, informal sector workers, received wages worth Php 4,740.00 for 15 days worth of work.

Local government units of Pinan in Zamboanga del Norte and Pagadian City, Liga ng mga Barangay in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur received TUPAD checks amounting to a grand total of PHP 23.2 million to benefit 3,683 beneficiaries.

He added that aside from the national payout, DOLE 9 also gave Kabuhayan Starter Kits worth more than PHP 390,000.00 to 13 kasambahays. These were starter kits for commercial cooking, commissary store, dressmaking and a mobile NegoKart.

Seven (7) college-level dependents of OFWs were also given checks worth PHP 10,000.00 under the Educational Assistance through Scholarship (EASE) of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) 9. Two (2) OFWs also received livelihood assistance from OWWA worth Php 20,000.00 each.

DOLE 9 also conducted Project Angel Tree in Barangay Recodo, Zamboanga City where 25 profiled child laborers received early Christmas gifts from various “Angels’” or benefactors.

“Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, DOLE 9 continues to strive for excellent public service delivery. I am especially grateful to the men and women behind DOLE 9 as well as our partners for making this anniversary celebration a testament that with unity, we can overcome obstacles,” Dir. Buenafe said. END/KGrafia