The Department of Labor and Employment has set aside P10 million for emergency employment for around 3,000 affected workers displaced by Typhoon ''Usman'' in Bicol Region.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the initial amount was intended to provide displaced workers and their families with immediate short-term income support under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
“Most of the affected families of Typhoon Usman were farmers and farm workers, and we aim to provide immediate assistance to these affected workers by giving them temporary income-support while still coping up with the devastation brought by the typhoon,” Bello said.
Under the TUPAD Program, beneficiaries will be provided with emergency employment in the form of 10-day community work with a minimum salary of P305.00 a day.
The Labor secretary also said the DoLE’s rapid profiling of displaced workers in priority areas including Sangay, Camarines Sur and in Tiwi, Albay, is still ongoing to further reach more workers affected by the calamity.
Bello joined President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday in visiting devastated areas in Bicol to determine the needed assistance of affected communities.
Various assistance programs are also available to the displaced workers including skills training, livelihood assistance, as well as the provision of grants and loans to help them recover.
Also, the families of active OFWs affected by calamity will be provided with P3,000 worth of assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration while P1,500 will be given to the families of inactive OFWs.