The labor department provided a total of Php34.7 million in livelihood support to 7,030 informal workers adversely affected by Typhoon Odette in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat island.
The assistance was given in the form of emergency employment under the department’s flagship Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
Each of the 7,030 beneficiaries in Surigao del Norte received Php3,200.00 for a 10-day work involving house cleaning, rebuilding homes, road cleaning, and de-clogging of canals.
“Dako akong pasalamat nga nakadawat dayon kami ug hinabang pinaagi sa TUPAD sa DOLE. Gamiton namo kini nga kwarta para pagtukod pag-usab sa among panimalay ug pagpasig-uli sa among panginabuhian nga nawala,” said Danilo Gelsano, a typhoon victim in the municipality of Socorro.
The labor department also facilitated the release of Php11.747 million in TUPAD funds for the benefit of 3,671 beneficiaries in Dinagat island.
Each of the beneficiaries in Dinagat received Php 3,200.00 as compensation for the 10-day work they have provided.
“Nagpasalamat kog dako sa tabang nga inyong gihatoag sa amo. Nakatabang gyud ang TUPAD sa DOLE labi na na naagian mi og bagyo. Naa nami pangpalit og sin sa atop,” said Joan Elano of Brgy. San Jose, Cagdianao.
Montano Juntilla of Brgy. Dona Helen, Basilisa also expressed gratitude for the livelihood assistance provided by the department. “Daku jud kug katabnag ning TUPAD sa tagsa tagsa nga pamilya labaw na sa mga nawad-an og trabaho tungod sa Odette,” Juntilla said.
Source: Department Of Labor And Employment Republic Of Philippines