BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) conducted a convergence meeting with partner Regional Government Line Agencies for the implementation of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD).
DOLE CAR Regional Director Imelda E. Romanillos, in her message, acknowledged the presence of DOLE CAR partner agencies and expressed gratitude for their continuous support in ensuring the smooth implementation of the DILP and TUPAD for the clients of their respective agencies and offices, particularly those disadvantaged by calamities and other social circumstances.
“The success and impact of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) would be enhanced through convergence and collaboration with Regional Partner Agencies by sharing resources, expertise, and networks.” Director Romanillos emphasized.
She also added that under DILEEP’s DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or the Kabuhayan Program component, DOLE provides grant assistance for the start-up, enhancement, or restoration of lost livelihood for disadvantaged individuals or groups in the informal sector, while the TUPAD program is a community-based initiative that provides short-term emergency employment for disadvantaged workers.
Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director Olivia O. Obrero-Samson reiterated the importance of building networks to effectively address the needs of vulnerable sectors by pooling resources and fostering stakeholder engagement. She emphasized that convergence in the implementation of DILP and TUPAD is a priority of the Department for a more productive and impactful implementation of these flagship programs. She called for the designation of focal persons from the participating regional line agencies for effective coordination and communication.
ARD Obrero-Samson also outlined the DOLE’s guidelines for the priority implementation of programs under the convergence initiatives of DILP, as follows: 1) Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Program on the Reformation of Persons Deprived of Liberty and Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) Program on the Reformation of Parolees and Probationers, with beneficiaries for each office; 2) EnTSUPERneur Program of the Department of Transportation, benefiting transport workers; and 3) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that will serve exited 4Ps beneficiaries.
Additionally, the DSWD’s Convergence Initiatives include: Project LAWA at BINHI and exited 4Ps beneficiaries from the 4Ps program. For the HAPAG Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the beneficiaries will include disadvantaged workers. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will tap TUPAD workers as forest rangers, while the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will cater low-income construction workers of its housing program.
The attendees of the TUPAD Convergence Meeting included DHSUD headed by Regional Director Antonette Anaban and staff officers Bella Marie Sison and Jenny Villanueva; DOJ- PPA headed by Regional Director Belinda Zafra and Parole Officers Nelly Wayagwag and Mary Ann Banuguen; and DOJ – BJMP represented by Jail Inspector Vilma Fangsilat and Jail Officer 2 Myrtle Kewan. Other representatives include Engr. Elmer Mendoza and Arlene Walang of DOTr; Mr. Clifford Pataweg of DILG; Ms. Elizabeth Antonin of DENR; Social Welfare Officers Fe Biba and Nora Rillera of DSWD; and Roji and Ms. Mae Santiago of LTFRB.
The DOLE-CAR attendees included ARD Obrero-Samson; Dr. Emerito Narag, TSSD Chief; Rajan Gomuad, TSSD Regulatory Unit Head; Wendy Salada, TSSD Developmental Unit Head; Joyette Alonzo, DILP Regional Focal; Ezrick Portiz and Louis Kyle Puertullano, TUPAD Regional Focal Persons; Vallerie Kate Hidalgo, Razel Dianne Bernal and Renner Fernandez, Livelihood Development Specialists; and Jericho Laroya and Henry Evangelista, TUPAD Coordinators. By Patrick Rillorta with reports from Wendy Salada and Joyette Alonzo
