INTRAMUROS, Manila -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has initially allocated P455.6 million for the ongoing implementation of its emergency employment program in Central Luzon and CALABARZON, which were ravaged by typhoon ‘Karding’ last week.

Through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, informal sector workers in the said regions are employed for a minimum period of 10 days to assist in clearing, cleaning, de-clogging of canals, debris segregation, materials recovery, and other activities needed in the rehabilitation of their communities.

Labor Secretary Bienvenio E. Laguesma vowed continuous support to workers affected by the typhoon. He assured the provision of additional TUPAD funds if the initial allocation will not be sufficient and underscored the program’s enhanced implementation by providing skills training to beneficiaries.

DOLE Central Luzon Regional Director Geraldine M. Panlilio said a total of P365 million has been allocated for the program’s implementation in partnership with the local government units and their respective Public Employment Service Offices in the region.

Panlilio said 14,000 beneficiaries are currently engaged under the program, while 29,000 others are set to be employed next week. The DOLE Regional Office has also disbursed salaries of 31,333 TUPAD beneficiaries in Bulacan, Tarlac, and Bataan right after the typhoon’s onslaught last week.

To upgrade the skills of emergency employment beneficiaries, Panlilio said the DOLE Central Luzon is partnering with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the carpentry skills training of workers in Bulacan, Aurora, and Nueva Ecija.

“The beneficiaries will not only work for 10 days, but they will also gain carpentry skills. In this way, they will not only construct their own homes, but they might also be employed by construction companies,” said Panlilio as she highlighted that construction skills are in-demand because of the numerous construction projects in the region.

Meanwhile, DOLE CALABARZON Regional Director Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman said P90.6 million has been allocated initially for the emergency employment of informal sector workers who were affected by typhoon ‘Karding’ in the region.

This will benefit more than 19,800 workers in hard-hit areas of Polilio Island, Burdeos and several other towns of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite.

TUPAD is an institutionalized program implemented especially during calamities, typhoons, and disasters. It is a community-based amelioration program that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a minimum period of 10 days to a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed. The salary of beneficiaries is based on the prevailing minimum wage in the region. (DOLE)