LUNA, Apayao – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently started disbursing wages of 374 individuals qualified as recipients of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) initiative in the province.
The total amount of payout which DOLE began giving on October 4, 2023 was PhP3,896,000.
According to DOLE-TUPAD Officer Jhun Saleo-an, the employment opportunities were provided through two distinct programs, both under the TUPAD initiatives.
The first initiative, a collaboration between DOLE and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), provided employment to 120 individuals for 60 days. Their tasks involved nursery production, planting, maintenance, and protection for DENR’s Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) projects in the province.
The second, a joint effort by DOLE, the Office of the Congresswoman, the Office of the Provincial Governor, and local government units (LGUs), extended 10 days of employment to 254 beneficiaries from Typhoon Egay-affected families, particularly those with completely destroyed houses. These workers engaged in community services such as cleaning roads and surroundings of government facilities.
The funds were disbursed through successive payouts to municipal beneficiaries, with the 254 beneficiaries receiving their 10-day salaries amounting 400 pesos per day, and the 120 families receiving 30-day wages equivalent to 400 pesos per day.
Additional wages for the latter group will be distributed upon completion of the required 60 days of employment.
By Jomela Dela Torre
