ZAMBOANGA CITY – Displaced workers in Dumalinao and Lakewood municipalities will benefit from the 4.7 million pesos budget released under the emergency employment program of the Labor Department on October 17, 2022 at the Dumalinao Municipal Hall and Lakewood Municipal Hall, respectively.

DOLE 9 regional director Atty, Roy L. Buenafe said that the assistance was under the Tulong Panghanabuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program which is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers.

“The amount will fund the wages of 847 informal sector workers who will be working for 15 days and shall be earning the prevailing minimum wage of Region 9,” Buenafe said.

Buenafe led both check turnovers to LGU Dumalinao Mayor Sweet Cerilles worth PHP 2,807,500.00 and LGU Lakewood Mayor Domingo Mirrar with PHP 1,948,405.00.

TUPAD Beneficiaries will work for 4 hours a day for 15 days focusing on the cleanliness of their community and beautification activities.

Buenafe added that beneficiaries will be enrolled in the Group Micro-Insurance of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and provided with personal protective equipment as part of the assistance package.

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