ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) program for displaced and disadvantaged workers dubbed as Serbisyong TUPAD is on full throttle in the province of Zamboanga del Norte with over 19 million pesos released to various local government units for the implementation of said program.

Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE 9 Regional Director, said that the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program will benefit 3,664 informal sector workers who are mostly local farmers and fisherfolk.

“The informal sector workers are directly vulnerable to the economic fallout as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic thus we want to assist them through Serbisyong TUPAD. These beneficiaries will be engaged in short-term emergency employment where DOLE shall pay them wages for the period of days worked,” Atty. Buenafe added.

DOLE Zamboanga del Norte Field Office (ZDNFO) led by Chief Lourdes Amores facilitated the release of checks to LGU representatives beginning the 2nd week of August.

Out of the P19.2M, LGU Rizal was issued a cheque amounting to P2.7M, LGU Leon B. Postigo with P1.6M, LGU Sergio Osmeña with P4.8M, LGU Dipolog with P1.4M, LGU-Brgy. Pasorio, Mutia with P510K, LGU Manukan with P4M.

And the remaining amount of P4.2M were issued to different barangays of the Municipality of Kapitunan namely; Brgy. Basagan and Brgy. Bulawan with P1.2M each as well as Brgys. Loyuran, Daanglungsod and New Tambo with P600K each.

“The beneficiaries will be tasked to do clean up drives in their respective barangays while some will be involved in tree or mangrove planting. They will be provided with personal protective equipment such as long-sleeved shirts, gloves and hats as well as micro-insurance,” said Chief Amores.

Ms. Juliebeth S. Eltanal, in-charge of Manukan Public Employment Service Office (PESO), expressed her sincere thanks and gratitude to Atty. Buenafe and DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III as they were chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the TUPAD Program.

“Kame sa LGU Manukan pinaagi sa among Municipal Mayor Eugene U. Caballero nagpasalamat sa DOLE na isa mi sa mga napili para sa TUPAD Assistance Program kay kini nga program kay dakong tabang para sa atong katawhan labi na sa atong affected workers tungod sa COVID. (All of us in Manukan, with the leadership of Municipal Mayor Eugene U. Caballero, thank the DOLE for making us part of the TUPAD program. This is such a huge help to workers who are affected by COVID.) ” Ms. Eltanal said. ###