ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment Region IX (DOLE 9) through its Satellite Office implemented the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged (TUPAD) Barangay ko, Bahay Ko #BKBK Disinfection/ Sanitation Project with Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (ZAMBOECOZONE) as Accredited Co-Partner (ACP).

DOLE 9 turned over a cheque to ZAMBOECOZONE amounting to P271, 760.00 for the payment of wages for 86 field workers whose work were affected due to the Work at Home arrangement of the Authority after the declaration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Zamboanga City.

With the help of ZAMBOECOZONE’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Joselito J. Nuevo, beneficiaries were profiled. ZAMBOECOZONE Chairman Raul M. Regondola endorsed the list to DOLE 9 on March 19, 2020.

Through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by DOLE 9 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo and Chairman Regondola, DOLE provided for the beneficiaries’ wage which amounts to the existing daily minimum wage of the region, P316.00.

ZAMBOECOZONE, as the ACP, provided personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face shield and cleaning materials to beneficiaries for cleaning their respective homes and nearby surroundings.

The beneficiaries were provided with flyers on TUPAD #BKBK and Information on how to disinfect their houses and surroundings.

They worked for 10 days from April 13-24, 2020 for a minimum of four hours daily excluding weekdays.

Harid Asnawi from Sitio Anuling, Pamucutan, Zamboanga City was very thankful for the opportunity to work under TUPAD #BKBK considering he has no other source of income when EQC was declared.

Just like Asnawi, Malik Salahiron, who resides at Barangay Limpapa was grateful for the income provided to them through the partnership of DOLE Region 9 and ZAMBOECOZONE.

TUPAD #BKBK is the DOLE’s program to provide temporary wage employment for the informal sector whose livelihood or earnings were affected due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine against COVID-19.

END/kcgrafia with report from Joni Sarina R. Mejico, DOLE Satellite Office