DOLE-13 highlights TUPAD during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas
By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) highlighted the program on Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), as the agency served as guest during the 17th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas hosted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga on September 17 at the Town Hall Meeting at the LMX Convention Center, Butuan City.
Representing DOLE Caraga Regional
Director Joffrey Suyao, Assistant Regional Director Raymond Fel Sajor, presented
the agency's significant accomplishments and ongoing programs and projects in
the region that greatly contributed to the improvement of the lives of the
Caraganons.
Dir. Sajor shared that one of its
programs is the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers
(TUPAD), wherein all disadvantaged workers aged 18 years old and above are
qualified to be beneficiaries of this program except for government employees
regardless of status of employment (permanent, contractual, project-based)
including those who are regularly receiving honorarium or allowances for work
performed.
"TUPAD is a community-based
emergency employment program that provides short-term jobs to displaced,
underemployed, and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days but not to
exceed 30 days, for which the DOLE pays them minimum wage," he said.
Sajor also clarified that there is no
age limit for qualification, and even senior citizens are eligible.
"For them to be allowed to work,
they need to present a fit-to-work certification issued by government doctors
before they are deployed in the field. The barangay also plays a vital role in
monitoring the performance of the TUPAD beneficiaries within the days of work
as designated to them," added Sajor.
He also emphasized that individuals
can avail of it once a year and may only avail it again in cases where they are
affected by man-made or natural disasters or calamities.
“We want to highlight the TUPAD
program, including the Government Internship Program or GIP, of which we all
witness that more are included as beneficiaries of these programs in the
different parts of the region," Sajor said.
As to the monitoring of the
implementation of the TUPAD program, he clarified that those qualified the
agency has a monitoring and evaluation tool to assess whether or not the
beneficiaries are doing their tasks.
Sajor emphasized that DOLE along with
its Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) has been keen on conducting
information dissemination on the different programs and services for the
vulnerable sectors, especially in the far-flung barangays.
"We also get strong support from
the local government units and other government agencies in advocating various
programs that will create great impact to the lives of the people," he said.
"DOLE has been constant in
reaching out to the underprivileged sectors of our region," he added.
Aside from the TUPAD program, Sajor
also explained that the DOLE Livelihood Integrated Program (DILP) seeks to
reduce vulnerability to risks of the disadvantaged workers and to augment the
income of workers by providing income opportunities through: (1) emergency
employment; (2) entrepreneurship; and (3) skills training.
"Livelihood or Kabuhayan Program
is a grant assistance for capacity-building on livelihood for the poor,
vulnerable, and marginalized workers," he said.
He added that DOLE continues to
facilitate job opportunities and career matching, and also taps other
government agencies for the provision of technical assistance through different
skills training.
He further assured the vulnerable
sectors in the region that DOLE will continue to serve and bring these programs
closer to the people, so that they do not need to travel far just to avail and
benefit from it.
The DOLE, through its ongoing efforts
and partnerships with local government units and other agencies, remains
committed to uplifting the lives of the disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors in
Caraga.
DOLE is one of the executive
departments of the government mandated to formulate policies, implement
programs and services, and serve as the policy-coordinating arm of the
Executive Branch in the field of labor and employment. It is tasked with the
enforcement of the provisions of the Labor Code.
The DOLE has attached agencies,
namely: Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC), Institute for Labor Studies
(ILS), National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), National Labor
Relations Commission (NLRC), National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC),
Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA). (KKG/JPG, PIA-Caraga)
