The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has rolled out P28 million worth of emergency employment assistance to over 5,450 displaced workers in earthquake-hit areas of Davao Region.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the cash aid will be distributed under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.
The magnitude 7.6 and 6.8 tremors that struck Davao Oriental and nearby areas on October 10 destroyed homes, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced over 70,000 families.
Laguesma said the emergency employment fund will help affected residents rebuild their lives.
DOLE Davao Region will deploy 4,950 workers from Davao Oriental and 500 others across Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental to rollout the TUPAD emergency employment program, which will run for 10 days.
Beneficiaries, whose houses were profiled as partially or totally damaged, will participate in debris clearing, waste management, and rehabilitation activities. The initiative aims to help both rebuild communities and restore livelihoods.
“Through TUPAD, we aim to help workers rebuild their lives by providing temporary income and livelihood while contributing to the restoration of their communities,” DOLE Davao Regional Director Randolf Pensoy said.
The allocation also includes micro-insurance coverage to protect workers as they carry out rehabilitation tasks in affected areas.
