ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 6, 2022 – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 through its Liloy Satellite Office provided emergency employment under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program to 140 beneficiaries in Kalawit, Zamboanga Del Norte.

DOLE 9 Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said that the TUPAD program 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.

Beneficiaries were oriented on the guidelines of TUPAD and Occupational Safety and Health on June 7, 2022 at the Municipal Gymnasium, Kalawit, ZDN. Personal protective equipment such as long-sleeved t-shirts, caps, gloves and face masks were distributed to each worker. They were also enrolled to a group personal accident insurance.

The beneficiaries were hired to work for four hours per day for 15 days performing social community projects, such as repair, maintenance, and/or improvement of common public facilities and infrastructure such as schools and health centers, debris clearing, de-clogging of canals, debris segregation and materials recovery, stockpiling and clearing.

Each beneficiary received the amount of Php 4,740.00 during the payout held on July 28, 2022 at Municipal Hall, Kalawit, ZDN.

Representing Municipal Mayor Hon. Salvador Antojado Jr., Virginita M. Fransaliso LGU-Executive Secretary expressed her gratitude to DOLE through the leadership of Secretary Silvestre H. Bello for the intervention provided to their municipality.

She also encouraged the TUPAD beneficiaries to perform the task well wherever they may be assigned.

Kalawit PESO Manager Dolores Cadil expressed her gratitude to Labason Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) for the immediate implementation of the TUPAD Program. LMPC served as the Accredited Co Partner for the TUPAD implementation in the municipality.

Jonelo Antipuesto, TUPAD beneficiary from Batayan, Kalawit, expressed his gratitude to DOLE and LGU Kalawit for the assistance provided to them through the TUPAD Program. He said that the assistance is a big help as he will be able to buy food for his family. ###