2,619 Aklanon workers benefit from DOLE’s TUPAD program

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Just in time for the opening of classes, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 6 released the emergency employment assistance under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in Aklan province.

For the month of August, DOLE-6 said 2,619 informal workers from the different Aklan municipalities received the aid.

Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr., DOLE-6 regional director, said they released P13,601,153 before the month ended.

Rodriguez said the immediate release of the wages was intended to help the daily needs of the beneficiaries and to defray school expenses for the opening of classes.

Each beneficiary received P4,500 on wages, on top of the protective personal equipment (PPEs) and GSIS group personal insurance coverage package.

TUPAD, DOLE’s employment flagship program, provides a 10-day emergency employment to qualified beneficiaries, except for those from the municipality of Malinao who rendered 30 days of community service for fencing and sloping land technology establishment.

From August 4 to 29, the beneficiaries engaged in road clean-ups, canal de-clogging and beautification projects of their respective communities which is primarily to promote cleanliness and support the province’s tourism industry.

The 1,685 informal workers were utilized by the provincial government of Aklan for road cleaning along the highways of the province’s 12 municipalities.

On the other hand, the 686 beneficiaries from the municipality of Altavas, 30 from Brgy. Catmon (Altavas) and 28 workers from Brgy. Lupit, Batan rendered a community service of drainage de-clogging in their respective communities.

Meanwhile, 100 TUPAD workers from Brgys. Ogsip and Sibalew in the municipality of Libacao; 40 from Brgy. Aslum in Ibajay and 50 from Brgy. Polo in Banga rendered road cleaning and clearing works.