ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 turned over a check worth Php 25 million to Alicia Neighborhood Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ALNEMPCO) in Zamboanga Sibugay Province today for the implementation of the TUPAD Program.

DOLE 9 Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe and Provincial Governor Atty. Wilter Yap Palma personally handed the check to ALNEMPCO Chairman Cristituto Batonghinog and General Manager Nora S. Longno during the PGO’s Monday Convocation at the Provincial Capitol in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers Program or TUPAD is 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.

Director Buenafe said that the amount released will benefit 4,615 informal sector workers who are mostly farmers, rubber tappers, vendors and small transport drivers from various municipalities in Districts 1 and 2 of the province.

““The beneficiaries shall perform disinfection and sanitation activities in their respective communities to help combat the local transmission of COVID-19 and more importantly to provide them with additional income for their families,” Dir. Buenafe further said.

Each worker will receive a daily wage of Php 316.00 over a 15-day period, micro-insurance, personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.

The ALNEMPCO which is a DOLE Accredited Co-Partner, will be in-charge of the program implementation – from profiling of beneficiaries to monitoring activities and will report directly to DOLE for liquidation of funds. END