Recently, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. IV-A (CALABARZON) through its Rizal Provincial Office (DOLE-RPO) disbursed PhP 17.8 million to over 4,100 TUPAD beneficiaries from San Mateo and Antipolo City.
DOLE CALABARZON Regional Director Atty. Ma. Karina B. Perida-Trayvilla visited the province to witness the simultaneous distribution of salaries.
In San Mateo, victims of Typhoons Karding and Paeng are the identified beneficiaries to get aid from the government. On the other hand, beneficiaries from Antipolo City are mostly informal sector workers and fire incident victims.
The beneficiaries of the received Php 4, 350.00 each for their rendered community service. The amount is based on the highest prevailing minimum wage in the region.Most of them were tasked in cleaning debris and trash found in water ways, farmlands, and roadsides.
During the payout, RD Trayvilla emphasized to TUPAD beneficiaries that they should not give any amount to other individuals or entities in exchange for their inclusion in the program.
“Ineemphasize po namin na ang matatatanggap niyo po ay buo. Wala pong bawas dapat ‘yan,” Atty. Trayvilla said.
She also encouraged the beneficiaries to immediately report to the Department should there be any instances of cut in commissions.
“Paano kung magkaroon ng sitwasyon na [na]bawasan? Ang gagawin po natin, pupunta tayo sa pinakamalapit na opisina ng Department of Labor and Employment para po malaman namin at magsagawa kami ng investigation,” Atty. Trayvilla added.
Rizal Provincial Director Marivic B. Martinez, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Victoria B. Natanauan, and TUPAD Focal Person Kristielle Joy C. Maglabe facilitated the payout of salaries.
San Mateo Mayor Bartolome N. Rivera and Rizal Board Member Randy Puno were also present in the two payouts conducted.
Prioritizing the welfare of the pregnant, women with infants
Thousands of TUPAD beneficiaries flocked to the venue during the payout, including pregnant women, some even brought their infants with them in the queue. To ensure their safety, the Emergency Medical Services of San Mateo decided to create a safe space for them outside the venue, such beneficiaries were given chairs to sit on and provided with cooling fans for ventilation.
In an interview, Ma. Christina Genisera, a 26-year-old medic, said that they have come up with this solution because they noticed the large number of beneficiaries that were either pregnant or accompanied by their children.
“Ngayong taon, nasa pandemic pa rin po tayo. Napakarami pong tao sa loob, ‘yung mga babies po ay prone sila sa mga illnesses, so malaki ‘yung chances na magkasakit sila sa loob lalo na ‘yung ibang tao, mainit din po sa loob. So, talagang binigyan po talaga namin sila ng area na mas malamig, mas maginhawa,” Ginesara said.
DOLE made it clear to the beneficiaries not to bring their children during the payout, however, some of the TUPAD beneficiaries said that no one could attend to their children leaving them no choice but to bring their children with them.
Off to a Fresh Start
Despite losing PhP 10,000-worth of vegetable crops when Typoon Paeng hit, Salvador Teope, a 72-year-old Vegetable farmer and vendor from Dulong Bayan I, remained hopeful especially now that he received assistance from the Department.
“Laking pasalamat ko sa DOLE kasi nabigyan kami ng biyaya bilang tulong sa amin,” Teope expressed.
He also expressed happiness as he recalled his experience doing his 10-day community service.
“Masaya siyempre dahil nakakatulong din kayo sa paglilinis. Naglinis ka na nga bibigyan ka pa ng suweldo,” Teope added.
The vegetable farmer and vendor assured DOLE that he will use the assistance he received to further sustain the needs of his small business.
“Pupuhunanin ko sa po sa gulay. Bibili ako ng mga binhi ng gulay tapos ibibenta ko,” Teope promised.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Fonte, a fire victim from Mambugan, Antipolo City, is still hoping that the Department could further aid them as his house burned down in a recent fire incident in the community.
As a differently abled senior, Fonte finds it harder to recover from the incident. At the age of 61, Fonte continues his work as a part time exhaust fan cleaner in malls. For him, having a permanent source of income would be a big help.
“Sana matulungan kami lalo na ‘yung mga may kapansanan na magkaroon ng sariling hanapbuhay,” Fonte said.
Fonte plans to have either a small sari-sari store or an appliance repair shop in the future.
Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program is a community-based package of assistance that is designed to aid the informal sector workers or displaced workers due to natural/man-made calamities. Through this program, the Department will provide them a temporary employment with a minimum of 10 days and could be extended up to 90 days depending on the nature of their project.
by:
FLINT OSRIC T. GOROSPE
LEO I
CHARMAINE D. BAISA
LEO III
