Bataan DOLE- TUPAD program rolls on

The Department of Labor and Employment recently launched its Tulong Pangkabuhayan para sa mga Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. A community-based (municipality/barangay) package of assistance, it provides emergency employment for unemployed or underemployed, laid-off or terminated workers due to closure/retrenchment, and self-employed who have lost their livelihoods due to natural or man-made disasters.

DOLE personnel are going all over the Province conducting orientation on DOLE TUPAD Program, enrollment of TUPAD beneficiaries under micro insurance (Redcross), and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to beneficiaries.

As of June 25, 2014, four (4) local government units (LGUs) already implemented the program Abucay (30 beneficiaries), Bagac (20 beneficiaries), Morong (20 beneficiaries), Orion (20 beneficiaries). Come June 30, 2014, three (3) LGUs will implement the program (Provincial Government of Bataan (74 beneficiaries), Orani (25 beneficiaries), Mariveles (40 beneficiaries).

Qualified projects under the program are (a) social community projects, such as ecotourism,repair, and/or improvement of common public facilities, debris clearing, de-clogging of canals,debris segregation and materials recovery, stockpiling, and clearing and basic repair of public infrastructure such as schools and health centers; (b) economic community projects like repair and/or rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, bridges, post-harvest facilities, and public markets; (c) agro-forestry community projects, such as tree planting, seedling preparation. 

Project duration is minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

Beneficiaries will also be offered free skills training thru TESDA, which they may avail on a voluntary basis, to prepare them towards self or wage employment.