VICTIMS of Typhoon Amihan last January and soon-to-be displaced drivers due to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) will be included in the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (Tupad) Workers Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).
Tupad 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 to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.
Beneficiaries of the program include those underemployed, laid-off or terminated workers as a result of retrenchment or permanent closure of an establishment, self-employed workers (including farmers and fishermen) but have lost their livelihoods because of natural calamities or disasters, economic crisis, armed conflicts and/or seasonality of work. Only one member of a household shall be qualified to avail of the program in a year. However, a beneficiary can avail again in the event that he/she becomes a victim of a calamity or disaster.
Dole Davao City Field Office-Chief Labor and Employment Officer Erlinda Mamitag said aside from the P18 million regular funds per congressional district that will be allocated this year, an additional P9.9 million budget will be allocated to victims of Typhoon Amihan in the city last January.
Mamitag said Dole will be in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (Peso) and City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) to screen and verify beneficiaries in the program.
"In the P9.9 million, P4.9 million will be distributed this May, while the remaining P5 million will be allocated this June," she said during Monday's flag raising ceremony at the City Hall of Davao.
Mamitag said eligible projects under the Tupad Program includes 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 andmaterials recovery, stockpiling and clearing.
Meanwhile, she also said budget for displaced drivers can also be allocated from the fund.
"We had a discussion last April. We are willing to allocate certain amount for that," Mamitag said.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao said 8,216 public utility jeepneys and filcab, also known as multicab, operators within Davao region will be affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.