Following the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signed in October 2022, DOLE XI and DENR XI partner to implement a special project under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program in Davao Region.

The project was initiated in accordance with the Administration’s priority to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change in the country by establishing livable and sustainable communities that includes the adoption of a green economy roadmap.

A total of 102 beneficiaries across Davao Region will be involved in the seedling production, plantation establishment, maintenance, and protection activities in the Mechanized and Modernized Forest Nursery (MMFN) sites and priority sites identified by the DENR. In a coordination meeting on March 15, 2023, led by DOLE Assistant Regional Director Atty. Jason P. Balais, attended by DENR XI provincial personnel and DOLE XI Livelihood Unit, the parties reached an agreement to divide the beneficiaries into two (2) batches that will work for 15 days each with a daily compensation of Php 443.00.

As indicated in the MOA, signed by DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, the DOLE shall implement the TUPAD Program from the identification of the beneficiaries up to the monitoring of the projects. Meanwhile, DENR shall provide the necessary technical assistance during the implementation and shoulder the costs of planting materials.

The following are the identified seed production areas in Davao Region: Brgy. Las Arenas, Pantukan, Davao del Norte; Brgy. New Bohol, Corella, Davao de Oro; Brgy. Sibulan, Davao City; Brgy. Manuel Peralta, Malita, Davao Occidental; and Brgy. La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental. While the identified nursery areas, under the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of each local government unit, are situated in the following: Monkayo and Maco, Davao de Oro; New Corella and Panabo, Davao del Norte; Digos City; Malalag and Marahan, Davao del Sur; Marilog, Davao City; Malita, Davao Occidental; Mati City; and Baganga, Manay, and Lupon, Davao Oriental.

DOLE XI Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy highlighted in one his messages the importance of this collaboration to concurrently ensure the provision of economic opportunities for the disadvantaged workers and the conservation of country’s natural resources.

As stipulated in the agreement, it is worth noting that the DOLE’s TUPAD Program is only implemented in areas that are not under any tenure agreements or leased by DENR as identified by the Forest Management Bureau (FMB). The implementation of this special project in Davao region will start off in April 2023. (DOLE-XI)