At least 1,301 Boholanos earned their 10-day wage under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program, which offers temporary employment to displaced and disadvantaged employees for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 30 days.
Each of the workers received a total of P4,350 compensation equivalent to a minimum wage of P435 per day of work.
“Receiving their wages is a clear testament that the government, through its implementing arm like the Dole in particular, is doing its best in providing employment opportunities to our displaced workers,” said officer-in-charge Dole 7 Director Lilia A. Estillore in a statement on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
The region paid a total of P5,659,350 in salary to workers from nine municipalities in Bohol including Cortes, Maribojoc, Catigbian, Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Panglao, Dauis, and Baclayon from April 14 to 17, according to the Dole.
Loon had the most beneficiaries in Bohol with 319, followed by Tubigon with 171 workers and Calape with 165 workers.
Baclayon and Maribojoc had 98 beneficiaries each; Catigbian had a total of 75; and Cortes had 70 beneficiaries.
There were 60 and 46 Tupad beneficiaries in Dauis and Panglao, respectively.
Tupad beneficiaries also participated in community clean-up drives, coastal cleaning, and agro-forestry community initiatives.
P115 million payout
Meanwhile, Luchel Taniza, information officer of the Dole 7, said a new batch of payout for Tupad will also be released to workers this Labor Day, May 1, 2023.
The Dole 7 will release a total of P82.9 million worth of wages to 18,045 Tupad beneficiaries from different parts of Central Visayas.
Another P32.4 million will be distributed to 1,849 beneficiaries under another livelihood program by the Dole 7. This will be done during the commemorative program for the 121st Labor Day at the Hoops Dome Arena on Humay-Humay Road in Lapu Lapu City.
“In total, we will release P115.3 million; however, this will not only be for Tupad,” said Taniza.
Aside from the distribution of government assistance in Lapu-Lapu City, a job fair will also take place in Cebu City and Dumaguete City on the same day.