More residents benefit from TUPAD

HUNDREDS OF people affected by the health crisis benefited from the “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers” or TUPAD.

An old man signs a document during the TUPAD payout recently. (Bong Serondo)

Mayor Beng Climaco led labor officials and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda in the event held recently at the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University. Over 500 residents from Sangali, San Roque, Mampang, Zone 1, Calarian, Sto. Niño, Sta. Maria, Tumaga, Maasin, San Jose Cawa-Cawa and numerous other barangays received the assistance.

TUPAD, a project of the Department of Labor and Employment in coordination with the local government, is aimed at helping the beneficiaries earn a living. It is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not exceeding 30 days, depending on the nature of work.

Climaco, who previously graced the TUPAD orientation for thousands of beneficiaries, urged them not to lose hope at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic as the local government continues to roll out assistance to help those mostly affected by the crisis. 

“We are working hard in the government to ensure the welfare and health of every Zamboangueños and let us not lose hope and continue to pray to God that this pandemic will soon be over and our people can return to their work under the new normal,” she said. 

Under the TUPAD, only the following types of projects can be supported with such assistance: Social community projects, such as repair, maintenance, and/or improvement of common public facilities and infrastructure such as schools and health centers, debris clearing, de-clogging of canals, debris segregation and materials recovery, stockpiling and clearing; Economic community projects like repair, maintenance and/or rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, bridges, post-harvest facilities, public markets and common service facilities such as production and display centers, fishports and Agro-forestry community projects, such as tree planting, seedling preparation, and reforestation

Prior to the actual engagement in employment, the beneficiary will be provided with the following: Basic orientation on safety and health; Personal Protective Equipment in the form of T-shirt and hat; enrolment in group micro-insurance, to be included in the total project cost or as counterpart of the local government, and TUPAD ID.

The payment of wages of the TUPAD beneficiaries are coursed through a money remittance service provider to ensure standard application across all regions in terms of mechanics and service fee costs. In cases where an accredited co-partner (ACP) is involved in the implementation, the ACP, including the local government, shall facilitate the payment of wages of the beneficiaries using a prescribed payroll, with representatives from DOLE as witnesses. (Zamboanga Post)