ZAMBOANGA CITY— The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 released the amount of over 61 million pesos to fund wages of informal sector workers from Zamboanga del Sur Province under TUPAD or Tulong Panghanabuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers Program.Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe highlighted that the TUPAD Program provides a package of assistance to displaced and disadvantaged workers such as wages for temporary employment for a minimum of 10 days but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

“For this particular batch, a total of 12, 715 individuals will benefit from the program. They will be tasked to do disinfection and sanitation activities in their own homes and within their immediate surroundings for a period of 15 days,” Director Buenafe added.

DOLE Zamboanga del Sur Field Office headed by Ms. Miraflor J. Casanes facilitated the turn-over of checks to the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur led by Governor Victor Yu with 1st District Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu on June 9, 2021 at the Office of the Governor, Provincial Capitol, Pagadian City and to 2nd District Congressman Leonardo Babasa, Jr thru PESO Bayog on June 10, 2021 at the DOLE ZDSFO premises.

“Prior to the work period, beneficiaries were given an orientation of the program and Occupational Safety and Health. They were likewise provided with personal protective equipment and enrolled to micro-group accident insurance,” Ms. Casanes said.

Each beneficiary will be paid a total of 4,740 pesos following the Region’s minimum daily wage rate.END/ With a report from Michael Vincent Macrohon, LEO-III, ZDSFO