DOLE-8 to assist
informal sector workers through TUPAD #BKBK
By
NORMA RAE S. COSTIMIANO
March 28, 2020
TACLOBAN CITY – In
order to mitigate the economic impacts of Coronavirus Disease-2019
(COVID-19) global pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment
Regional Office VIII will be implementing emergency employment
program for the workers in the informal sector.
Per Department Order No.
210 series of 2020 signed by Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III on 18
March 2020, qualified beneficiaries or those underemployed,
self-employed and displaced marginalized workers who have lost their
livelihood or earnings due to Enhanced Community Quarantine against
COVID-19 may avail of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating
Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers #Barangay Ko/Bahay Ko (TUPAD #BKBK)
Disinfection/Sanitation Project.
Under the TUPAD #BKBK,
beneficiaries will work for a period of ten (10) days for the
disinfection/sanitation of their houses/dwellings and immediate
vicinity of their houses. Beneficiaries will receive wages
equivalent to 100% of the prevailing highest minimum wage in Eastern
Visayas, which is P325.00 per day.
Aside from the payment of
wages, the package of assistance under TUPAD will also include
enrolment of beneficiaries to group micro-insurance and conduct of
Basic Orientation on Safety and Health thru dissemination of
brochures. DOLE will likewise provide the cleaning solutions to be
used in disinfecting and sanitizing their dwellings.
TUPAD #BKBK under D.O. 210
may be implemented by Regional Offices either through direct
administration or through Accredited Co-Partner (ACP). Proponents/ACPs
must prepare and submit Letter of Intent, TUPAD Work Program and
Summary List of Beneficiaries.
DOLE-RO VIII was initially
downloaded only P10million for the implementation of the program.
Regional Director Yahya A. Centi during a meeting with senior
officials of DOLE-RO VIII directed to implement the program the
soonest possible time.
“Considering that most of
our informal sector workers have lost their income now because of
this COVID crisis, I urge everyone to do your part so that we will
be able to deliver the needed assistance”, said Centi.
TUPAD is one of the
flagship programs of DOLE which aims to contribute to poverty
reduction and inclusive growth. It is a community based
(municipality/barangay) package of assistance that provides
temporary wage employment for the displaced workers, underemployed
and self-employed workers.