CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- A new program that will provide assistance to individuals who lost their employment due to COVID-19 pandemic will be launched on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

DPWH Acting Secretary Roger "Oging" Mercado announced the new DPWH initiative dubbed as Assistance to Youth and Unemployed for Development and Advancement or AYUDA Program aims to address the alarming unemployment rate in the country.

More than a year of COVID-19 led to the closing of many industries and businesses, which rendered many Filipinos jobless.

While the government had already relaxed restrictions which open the doors to resumption of business operations, the pandemic, however, is still far from over and job outlook for workers might still encounter a lot of challenges, said Secretary Mercado.

The implementation of Ayuda Program will be rolled out in the 16 DPWH Regional Offices and 189 DEOs nationwide.

“Through this program, we hope to support Filipino families by employing at least one member per household as well as empower the youth by making them productive members of the society,” Secretary Mercado added.

Beneficiaries will render work on roadside maintenance such as street sweeping, cleaning of street signs, hauling waste materials, and painting of concrete barriers.

These activities complement the DPWH’s comprehensive project cycle which does not end upon the completion of infrastructure projects but also covers their upkeeping and maintenance. (DPWH/PIA-NCR)