ZAMBOANGA CITY –Informal sector workers who were beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers Program or TUPAD in Sibugay Province received their 10 days worth of wages from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9.

DOLE Zamboanga Sibugay Field Office (ZSFO) facilitated the payment of wages to a total of 2,022 beneficiaries from the Provincial Government Office (PGO) and the following municipalities: Ipil, Naga, R.T. Lim, Tungawan, Alicia, Buug, Diplahan, Malangas, Siay, Payao. The assistance amounted to PHP 6,357,920.00.

TUPAD 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.

The beneficiaries engaged in social community projects, such as de-clogging of canals, clearing, street sweeping, cleaning of public facilities, and community disinfection/sanitation activities for 10 working days with a minimum of four (4) hours work per day. Each received 3,160.00 pesos following the minimum wage rate in the Region.

DOLE ZSFO worked closely with several Accredited Co-Partners (ACP) for the implementation of TUPAD in the mentioned municipalities – Roseller T. Lim Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RTLEMPC), Alicia Neighbor Employment Multipurpose Cooperative (ALNEMPCO) and Tungawan Employees and Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TECMPC).

TUPAD is one of DOLE’s adjustment measures for informal sector workers whose livelihoods were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. END