DIPOLOG CITY – A total of 285 informal sector workers from the Municipality of Jose Dalman, Zamboanga del Norte were oriented on the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) on August 1, 2023 at the Municipal Gymnasium of said town.

The emergency employment was made possible through the Department of Labor and Employment – Zamboanga del Norte Field Office (DOLE-ZDNFO) and the Accredited Co-Partner (ACP) Local Government Unit of Jose Dalman.

The said beneficiaries are mainly farmers, fisher folks and vendors whose livelihoods were affected by recent calamities that hit the province. They will work for four (4) hours a day within 10 days in their respective barangays, doing clean and green activities such as street sweeping and tree planting. Each worker will receive Php 351.00/day pursuant to the highest minimum wage for private sector worker in the region.

Aside from the TUPAD & OSH Orientation, each beneficiary was also provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and a coverage of one (1) year to the GSIS Group Accident Personal Insurance (GPAI).

On behalf of the Municipal Mayor Hon. Allen T. Ferrater, Mr. Jose Teodel Baroro, PESO Manager, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to DOLE for the opportunity granted to the constituents.

The TUPAD beneficiaries expressed their joy and thanked DOLE and the LGU for the assistance given to them as it will help their family a great deal in terms of daily living expenses.

The TUPAD Program is a community-based package of assistance that provides safety net through temporary wage public employment projects for a period of 10 to 90 days, continuous or otherwise, depending on the nature of work to be performed. END/With reports from Cheska Marian Dugenia, TC