TUPAD workers hailed for sustained food supply during pandemic

Barangay Delima in Belison, Antique recognized the Department of Labor and Employment Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para Sa Ating Disadvantaged Displaced/Workers (DOLE-TUPAD) program for its efforts in sustaining the food supply at the height of the pandemic and for helping the barangay win numerous awards.

Punong Barangay Nelyn Barsolis conveyed her appreciation during the implementation of the program for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and sacadas held recently in the municipality of Belison.

She said TUPAD program gave attention to the communal garden project in her barangay.

Barsolis said that the produce of the communal garden sustained the vegetable supply of the barangay during the lockdown period.

She also acknowledged the DOLE-TUPAD program and the workers for the awards won by the barangay.

“Duro gid na-contribute ka pumuluyo namon nga mga TUPAD workers para mabu-ol namon ang award.” (The TUPAD workers in our barangay contributed a lot for the awards.)

Brgy. Delima bagged the award for the Best Communal Garden of the Municipality for the past three years (2017-2019). The barangay also won a national award in the Search for Barangay with Best Sanitation Practices by the Department of Health in 2017.

According to the barangay chief, the TUPAD program is “a blessing and a big help to the barangay in achieving its environmental programs such as vegetable gardening, waste management and segregation, recycling, clean-up drive, tree planting, beautification and other related activities.”

DOLE-RO No.6 Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao is pleased with the program’s impact on the community.

Referring to Brgy. Delima’s achievements, Director Ticao underscored the significance of the program in other areas. ”TUPAD program does not only promote employment but could also advance the agricultural, health, sanitation and environmental programs of the local and national government.”

Barangay Delima is currently vying for the Regional Search for Clean and Green Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The 5^th batch of the TUPAD program beneficiaries completed the vermi-composting facility and vegetable production project of the barangay which are vital components of the greening program.