A total of P303,888 worth of initial cash payouts to beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) in typhoon-hit Catanduanes were distributed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma also committed to releasing P6.1 million in wages for 964 TUPAD beneficiaries in other towns of the province within the week.

Laguesma said further assistance under the TUPAD Program is also being rolled out to support thousands of displaced workers affected by the successive typhoons.

According to DOLE, a total of P47.9 million of aid dedicated to rehabilitating and rebuilding affected communities is scheduled for distribution before the yearend.

TUPAD beneficiaries participated in various community development projects, such as clearing activities, cleanup drives, community-based farming initiatives, planting disaster-resilient crops, and repacking relief goods.

"Through TUPAD, we not only want to meet your immediate needs, but also give you the opportunity to be part of the collective recovery of your community," Laguesma said in Filipino.

"Your cleaning, repair, and other work is an important contribution for the revival of Catanduanes," he added.

The TUPAD Program provides emergency employment for disadvantaged workers, offering 10 to 30 days of community work, especially during times of disaster and calamities, to help beneficiaries improve and rehabilitate their communities.

Financial aid to child laborers

Meanwhile, the Labor department also provided livelihood assistance amounting to P381,876 to the families of profiled child laborers from Laguna.

Each family received starter kits for their chosen livelihood, such as printing and photocopying services, burger/fishball vending, welding, vegetable farming, school supplies retailing, carinderia, and yema and and pastillas-making through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program or Kabuhayan Program.

The provision of livelihood assistance to parents of child laborers is among the Department’s strategies under the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLEP).

The livelihood assistance can be in the form of Nego-Kart, starter kits, or materials needed to start a livelihood undertaking.

The DOLE implements the CLPEP as a contribution to the government’s vision of a child-labor-free Philippines.