DOLE allots P424.4M for interim jobs of 72K Kristine-hit workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allotted over P420 million to provide temporary jobs to more than 72,000 workers in Calabarzon who were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Kristine (international name: Trami).

According to DOLE, its regional office set aside P424,437,726 to cover a total of 72,714 displaced employees under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program.

Of the displaced workers, a total of 29,729 beneficiaries will come from Batangas; 14,815 from Cavite; 10,764 in Quezon and 2,816 will be from Rizal.

Beneficiaries will work for 10 days and will be engaged in the community clean-up, debris clearing, and rehabilitation of public infrastructures from Oct. 25 to November 2024 under the TUPAD program. They will be paid with the highest prevailing minimum wage rate in the region.

"This intervention is needed now more than ever to provide income-earning capacity for our disadvantaged workers thereby allowing them to contribute to the efforts of the community in rehabilitation and recovery," DOLE Regional Director Buenafe said.

Last Wednesday, the DOLE said over 251,000 workers in Bicol and Calabarzon region were severely affected by Typhoon Kristine. Most of them are from the provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Laguna, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Norte.

Apart from TUPAD, the DOLE is likewise granting livelihood assistance of at least P50,000 for affected families who wanted to establish their own businesses. To apply, eligible individuals should be displaced by the typhoon and should submit a project proposal to be reviewed by the Labor Department. — VDV, GMA Integrated News