DOLE allots P476 million to emergency jobs in Karding-hit Central Luzon

The Department of Labor and Employment in Central Luzon (DOLE Region 3) has allocated P476 million for an emergency employment program in the region following the onslaught of Typhoon Karding.

At a public briefing, DOLE Region 3 Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio said some 42,000 workers are currently employed for a minimum of 10 days to assist in clearing, cleaning, de-clogging of canals, debris segregation, materials recovery, and other activities needed in the rehabilitation of their communities.

In particular, she said, they have rolled out the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) for the typhoon victims.

“Para sa mga nasalanta o naapektuhan ng bagyong Karding, ang ating tanggapan ay nakapagbigay ng emergency employment para sa mga probinsya ng Central Luzon. So, mayroon tayong inalaan na P476 million para sa emergency employment,” Panlilio said.

(For those who were devastated or affected by typhoon Karding, our office has provided emergency employment for the provinces of Central Luzon. So, we have an allocation of P476 million for emergency employment.)

“Ang ibang proyekto nito ay on-going, ang iba naman ay for implementation. So, ang on-going projects… nasa 42,000 beneficiaries na nagkakahalaga ng P190 million at in-e-expect pa po natin nag mag-implement pa tayo para naman sa P36,000 na beneficiaries all over Central Luzon,” she added.

(Some of its projects are on-going, others are for implementation. So, the on-going projects... there are 42,000 beneficiaries worth P190 million and we still expect that we will implement more for some P36,000 beneficiaries all over Central Luzon.)

TUPAD is an institutionalized program implemented especially during calamities, typhoons, and disasters.

It is a community-based amelioration program that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a minimum period of 10 days to a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

The salary of beneficiaries is based on the prevailing minimum wage in the region.

Aside from the TUPAD program, Panlilio said that they are working with Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) for workers in the region to upgrade their skills.

“Mayroon din tayong livelihood programs kung saan pwede natin i-tie-up ‘yan with the TESDA kung saan bibigyan natin ng kasanayan ang mga manggagawa na nawalan ng trabaho o maaaring kulang sa kanilang kita ay bibigyan natin sila ng bagong kasanayan o dadagdagan natin ‘yung kanilang mga skills, i-upskill natin, i-reskill natin with TESDA,” she added.

(We also have livelihood programs where we can partner with the TESDA to train workers who have lost their jobs or may lack their income. We will give them new skills, or increase their skills, upskill them or re-skill them with TESDA.) — BM, GMA News