Over 25,000 Bicolanos from different beneficiary groups received some P86 million in assistance as the labor department continues to spread its inclusive programs across regions.
Among the beneficiaries are the informal sector workers, child laborers and their parents, the youth, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families during the awarding ceremonies led by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in Camarines Sur and Legazpi City, Albay last week.
“Our DOLE assistance is encompassing. We have programs and services for the youth, the informal and formal sector workers, the OFWs, and even members of the LGBTQIA community and persons with disability. As President Duterte always reminds us, we have to give the people what is due them,” said Bello as he awarded DOLE aid amounting to over P86 million.
Under the flagship program Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), 25,325 informal sector workers in the region were given emergency employment for 10 days and received their salaries amounting to P85,389,400.
Bello gave the workers an additional five days of work under TUPAD to raise their salary from P3,100 to P4,650.
Meanwhile, as part of the National Children’s Month celebration, 100 child laborers from the municipalities of Sagñay and Tigaon in Camarines Sur were given grocery packs, hygiene kits, and educational materials.
Acknowledging that child labor is rooted in poverty, Bello assured aid in the form of livelihood assistance to the parents of the child laborers. This is to uplift their condition and eventually prevent them from engaging in child labor.
Also, 20 interns under the DOLE’s Government Internship Program received their stipends amounting to P55,916. The program provides three to six months of internship opportunity for high school, technical-vocational, or college graduates who want to pursue a career in public service in either local or national government.
Meanwhile, as part of the labor department’s contribution in the fight against COVID-19, informal sector workers who have completed their vaccination were given incentives and companies which comply with the minimum public health standards were awarded with the Safety Seal.
A total of 25 informal sector workers who have completed their vaccination were given bicycles with Android phones and P5,000 load through the DOLE’s Bikecination Project, while 16 companies were awarded with the Safety Seal Certification.
Among the safety seal-certified companies are Coca Cola Beverages Philippines, Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative, Del Sol Property Development Corporation, First Balfour, Petron Corporation – Gasul Legazpi Terminal, Makapa Corporation, Bacman Geothermal Inc., Philippine Geothermal Production Co. Inc., Apo Cement Corporation (Tabaco), Supra Feeds Enterprises Incorporated, 8AR Construction and Development Corporation, Legazpi Premium Development Corporation, AP Renewables Inc., Energy Development Corporation, Apo Cement Corporation (Legazpi City), and East Pacific Star Bottlers Phils., Inc.
Bello also led the distribution of OWWA assistance amounting to P348,053 to 27 OFWs and their dependents and cash prize amounting to P110,000 to Mayon Farmer’s Association Inc. for winning in the regional and national levels of the DOLE Kabuhayan Awards.
Composed of farmers from 38 barangays in Camalig and Guinobatan, Albay, the Association was recognized as among the best DOLE-assisted livelihood projects for their Cacao processing venture.
Source: Department Of Labor and Employment Republic of Philippines
