The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has released P12.9 million to the nearly 3,000 farmers and fisherfolk who rendered work under the government’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also extended financial and livelihood assistance to the beneficiaries of the Government Internship Program (GIP) and DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).
At least 2,953 farmers-beneficiaries who were heavily affected by the ongoing drought or dry spells brought on by the ongoing El Niño received wages of over P12.9 million for the 10 to 15 days of work period they performed through the TUPAD Program.
A total of 94 interns assigned to different government agencies in the province also received their salaries worth P4.5 million allotted for the three to six months of GIP implementation.
Meanwhile, in partnership with the barangay local government of Tubii, Occidental Mindoro, the 58-member Paluan Tuna Fisher’s Association Inc. received an amount of P994,480 for their project, “Installation of Fish Aggregating Device or Payao.”
In his message, Mr. Marcos affirmed that the government would do everything to help the province of Occidental Mindoro cope with the impacts of El Niño.