LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) – At least 831 residents who evacuated in Malilipot town in Albay have received the first tranche of their wages under the emergency employment program of the regional office here of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-5).
DOLE Regional Director Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita led the distribution of the compensation for the work of displaced workers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program (TUPAD).
“Narito ang DOLE para iparamdam sainyo na andiyan ang tulong ng gobyerno. Bukod sa pamamahagi ng inyong mga sahod ngayon, nais naming ipaabot na sana ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan, ligtas at malayo sa sakuna sa gitna nang pagaalburuto ng bulkang Mayon,” Campita said in a statement after the distribution that took place in two evacuation sites – Malilipot Elementary School and San Jose Elementary School--last July 19.
Worker-evacuees in Malilipot town in Albay attend the TUPAD payout on July 19, 2023. (Photo courtesy of DOLE Bicol)
The DOLE-5 said that the TUPAD beneficiaries received P3,650 each for the completion of the first 10 days of the 30-day work period of the program, which included gardening, food preparation and temporary shelter maintenance.
It added that upon the completion of the 30-day work program, each beneficiary is paid a total of P10,950. This will be given in tranches.
Further, Ching Banania, DOLE provincial director FOR Albay, said they will continuously assist displaced workers through TUPAD, not just in Malilipot, but also in other six municipalities and cities with workers displaced by Mayon Volcano's continuing unrest.
TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for at least 10 days and not more than 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.
As of this writing, Mayon Volcano remained under Alert Level 3. (PIA/DOLE5)
