THE Department of Labor and Industry (Dole) 7 released more than P15 million worth of livelihood assistance and cash aid to Tupad program beneficiaries and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in four municipalities in northern Cebu.
Dole Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III was in Cebu last week to release the financial assistance to a total of 1,921 beneficiaries in the municipalities of Medellin, Santa Fe, Madridejos, and Bantayan.
The following is the breakdown of the distribution:
• In Medellin, 37 associations with 977 members received livelihood assistance worth almost P11 million. The amount will fund the beneficiaries’ various livelihood projects, such as motorcycle spare parts and repair; hog raising and marketing; chairs, tables, and tent rental services; and muscovado production and marketing, among others.
• In Madridejos, 464 Tupad beneficiaries received their salaries, which collectively reached P1.8 million.
• In Bantayan town, more than P400,000 was released as salaries to 100 Tupad workers.
• In Santa Fe, a total of P1.2 million for the salaries of 302 Tupad workers was given.
Tupad stands for Dole’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers 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.
Dole 7 Director Salome O. Siaton said that the agency also released financial assistance worth P185,000 to 37 beneficiaries in Santa Fe under the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program.
With the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Bello also distributed cash aid worth P510,000 to 41 pandemic-affected OFWs in these four towns under OWWA’s programs and services: Dole-Akap, Tabang OFW, and Project Ease.
Bello said that Dole’s implementation of its programs and services amid the Covid-19 pandemic is due to the support of President Rodrigo Duterte.
He said Dole will continue to deliver its various programs and services to help workers who have been suffering for more than a year due to the pandemic.
Dole also conducted business management and financial literacy training in Bantayan, which was attended by 37 individuals from various workers’ associations. (NRC, PR/With WBS)