DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Feb. 24 (PIA) -- A total of 750 victims of typhoon Odette in the province benefited from the emergency employment program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

DOLE Negros Oriental Chief Ma. Teresa Tanquiamco said the department has initially allocated P3,162,000 for the TUPAD program to provide emergency employment to typhoon-hit areas.

Each worker will receive P4,040 for four hours daily engagement or daily rate through the money remittance partners of DOLE.

Tanquiamco explained that the beneficiary-workers have to perform community clean-up, including de-clogging of canals, repair of damage houses, and debris clearing among others.

The beneficiaries were identified based on the list of affected residents with the concerned local government units through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

Beneficiary-workers who availed of DOLE's TUPAD include 100 typhoon victim-residents in Canlaon City, 400 in Bais City, 50 in Vallehermoso, and 100 each in the towns of Bindoy and Manjuyod. 

“We are thankful to the Department that the much-needed help through TUPAD is brought to the Odette battered victims just as they need it to relieve them a bit from the burdens of damaged houses, no water, no food, and electricity,” Tanquiamco said.

Aside from efforts to help storm-hit victims, the DOLE has implemented TUPAD in the province annually with 36, 987 beneficiaries in 2021.

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a minimum period of 10 days but not more than 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from DOLE)