TUGUEGARAO CITY—The Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Office 2 provided emergency employment to 177 farm tenants and laborers displaced by farm mechanization in Roxas, Isabela.
The DoLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program under the bottom-up budgeting released ₱1,189,796 to finance the employment of Simimbaan, San Antonio and San Rafael farmers for six months.
“The work of the 177 was replaced by mechanical rice planters and harvesters,” Dr. Jonathan Calderon, municipal mayor of Roxas, said.
“In behalf of my constituents I would like to extend my warm gratitude to DoLE 2 and hope that this partnership would continue until poverty is eradicated,” Calderon added.
For six months, the farmers will declog drainage canals, weed and sweep barangay roads and green the environment by planting ornamental plants and seedling trees along roads of each barangay of Roxas, the mayor said.
The beneficiaries will be provided complete uniforms, gear and personal protective equipment and will be given Social Security System protection.
The DILEEP contributes to poverty alleviation and reduces risks of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers either through emergency employment and promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises. It has two components namely: Kabuhayan or Livelihood Program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) or emergency employment.
The livelihood program is a grant assistance for the purchase of equipment, tools and jigs, and raw materials, among others.
The Tupad is a community-based (municipality or barangay) package of assistance that provides emergency employment to displaced workers, the underemployed and unemployed poor for a minimum 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.
