TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Surigao del Sur, together with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), provided  employment to 2,791 earthquake survivors in the province.

The DOLE and TESDA provided them with emergency employment under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantage and Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

According to DOLE Provincial Director Genebelle Bal, they recently allocated P10.8 million for emergency employment assistance under the TUPAD program.

“Each beneficiary received P3,500 for a 10-day work period, focusing on community projects made available by the local government units,” Bal said.

Labor and Employment officer Josel-An Panares further said, “The initiative supported the beneficiaries coming from the 15 municipalities of Lingig, Hinatuan, Tagbina, Barobo, San Agustin, Cagwait, Bayabas, Tago San Miguel, Cortes, Lanuza, Carmen, Cantilan, and Carrascal.” 

“On top of the work, they received personal protective equipment, and they were enrolled in the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) personal accident insurance with a year of coverage,” Panares added.

Thereafter, TESDA conducted other skills training on pastillas-making, rug-making and organic fertilizer-making. These training programs were offered based on the proposals submitted by the earthquake-affected communities.

The beneficiaries from Carrascal town who chose pastillas-making were grateful for being taught culinary skills that they will be using as an income source as they continue to rebuild their lives from disaster.

Marianita Goc-ong, a beneficiary of the program, thanked the government for not leaving them behind.

“The steps I learned from Pastillas making will slowly help me start a small business as a source of our livelihood,” Goc-ong shared.

To recall,  a magnitude 7.4 earthquake jolted the province of Surigao del Sur in December 2023 and affected more than 150,000 families. (NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Women in the quake-affected communities learned how to make sweet pastillas. While others do community service like gardening and beautification in areas provided by the local government units. These livelihood opportunities were facilitated by TESDA to support their respective families. Photo courtesy of TESDA.