TUPAD backs Roxas environment, livelihood programs

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ROXAS CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment in Western Visayas said its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, or TUPAD, program is supporting both environmental protection and livelihood sustainability efforts in Roxas City through canal clearing, tree planting, and mangrove planting activities.

In a good news story dated March 27, 2026, DOLE Regional Office VI said the intervention was carried out in response to the Marcos administration’s directive to clear waterways and strengthen environmental protection.

The agency said DOLE Region VI and the Roxas City local government unit prioritized the de-clogging of canals and creeks, as well as tree planting and mangrove planting, to help boost disaster risk management in coastal areas and support the livelihood sustainability of small fisherfolk.

Through its Capiz Field Office, DOLE Region VI extended PHP 3,314,870.00 in TUPAD assistance.

The assistance covered 559 informal workers.

The package included wages, personal protective equipment, or PPEs, and Government Service Insurance System group personal accident insurance.

According to the agency, the beneficiaries assisted the city engineering office in de-clogging canals and in carrying out other environmental preservation and community improvement activities.

Those activities included agro-forestry and social community projects.

The workers also took part in cutting excess tree branches to promote public safety.

In return, each worker received a daily wage of PHP 550 for 10 days of community service.

Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr. said the TUPAD program plays a critical role in helping vulnerable workers while also supporting community development.

“Through TUPAD, we are able to provide immediate relief to disadvantaged workers while engaging them in meaningful activities that contribute to environmental protection and community resilience. This reflects our continued commitment to inclusive growth and decent work for all,” RD Rodriguez said.

DOLE said the intense summer heat also prompted Rodriguez to direct the Capiz Field Office to arrange work schedules that would protect workers from direct sunlight.

He also appealed to workers to use the personal protective equipment that had been issued to them.

The agency said the implementation of the TUPAD program highlighted the strong collaboration between the local government and DOLE in delivering responsive and inclusive programs for vulnerable sectors.

It added that the initiative gave beneficiaries not only immediate income, but also the chance to take part in building safer, cleaner, and more resilient communities.

The program reflects how emergency employment assistance is increasingly being linked to environmental management and climate resilience, especially in coastal communities where canal maintenance, mangrove restoration, and disaster preparedness directly affect both livelihoods and public safety.