LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allocated nearly PHP500 million to cover the wages of workers affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) and Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-Yi) in the Bicol Region, and given emergency employment under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
In an interview on Thursday, DOLE-Bicol Director Imelda Gatinao said the fund would benefit more than 144,000 affected and displaced workers for the six provinces in the region.
As of Nov. 13, initial payouts of close to PHP200 million were awarded to beneficiaries from Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes.
“Since the series of typhoons hit us, we tried to fix the documents of our beneficiaries immediately, and we expedited the process of paying wages. The DOLE fund will reach PHP482 million for the recovery of Bicol through our emergency employment,” Gatinao said.
She said the beneficiaries performed clearing activities, cleanup drives, community-based farming initiatives, planting disaster-resilient crops, and repacking relief goods. “We have [the wages] for release this week and for early next week for Catanduanes and Albay,” she said.
Gatinano said the program was in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring actions for a swift recovery for the provinces affected by the typhoons.
She added that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, distributed initial cash payouts to typhoon-affected beneficiaries under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program on Nov. 19, 2024.
The TUPAD Program provides emergency employment for disadvantaged workers, offering 10 to 30 days of community work, especially during times of disaster and calamities, to enable beneficiaries to improve and rehabilitate their communities.
Police assistance
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) has extended relief assistance to 295 personnel impacted by Super Typhoon Pepito in Catanduanes.
In an interview also on Thursday, Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib said that PRO-5 has mobilized its resources to deliver essential relief supplies as part of its ongoing humanitarian mission.
“The Regional Community Affairs and Development Division (RCADD) facilitated the distribution of 317 boxes of clean drinking water, 295 sacks of rice, and 350 grocery packs,” she said.
Calubaquib added that the items were sourced from the PRO-5 food bank, with additional contributions from other regional offices.
“This initiative under the directives of PRO-5 regional director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon provides immediate assistance to the affected Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel and their families facing challenges due to the typhoon,” she said.
She said the operation underscores the spirit of Bayanihan, a Filipino value that emphasizes solidarity and mutual aid during times of adversity. (PNA/ Connie Calipay)