ZAMBOANGA CITY – Close to 600 workers of the various rubber cooperatives in Zamboanga Sibugay are expected to benefit from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD)-Barangay ko, Bahay Ko (BKBK) program of the Department of Labor and Employment 9 (DOLE 9).

In a statement, Regional Director Roy L. Buenafe said DOLE 9 released the amount of PhP 1,896,000.00 to pay for the salaries of beneficiaries.

“The implementation of the program serves as DOLE’s post-COVID-19 intervention for distressed workers affected by the implementation of community quarantine in the province,” he said.

Assistant Regional Director Imelda F. Gatinao and DOLE Sibugay Provincial Head Elamsalih Ungad hand over the check to Ms. Lilia Gregorio-Manuel, General Manager of Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative (GARBEMCO) on July 8, 2020.

TUPAD beneficiaries will render work activities and at the end of their 10-day work period, they will receive their salary based on the prevailing highest minimum wage in the region for the private sector.

The following rubber cooperatives will benefit from this short-term employment program by the DOLE – GARBEMCO, SARBEMCO, ARBEMMCO, TARBEMCO, TIMARBEMCO & JARBECO.

END/KCG with reports from Edyll Grace Poligrates, LEO-III, ZSFO