The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), conducted the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Payout to over 8,000 laborer-beneficiaries in the municipalities of Del Gallego, Ragay, Canaman, Camaligan, Ocampo and Tinambac.
TUPAD is a community-based package assistance program of DOLE that provides emergency employment to displaced workers, underemployed, unemployed, and seasonal workers for 10 to 30 days depending on the nature of work, such as social, economic, and agro-forestry community projects.
In Camarines Sur, TUPAD beneficiaries who worked through a community clean-up drive within 10 working days were able to receive financial assistance amounting to P3, 450 each. They were also given Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the form of long sleeve shirts and hats. Each beneficiary was also enrolled in a micro-insurance as a counterpart of the local government unit for additional benefit under the program.
For the 64-year-old Marilyn Gonzales Maghirang of Sinuknipan, Del Gallego, her age is neither a hindrance nor an excuse for her inability to work. Still energetic and strong, Marilyn is one of the beneficiaries under the TUPAD program who worked to earn an additional income to support herself and her family. Although she is now a senior citizen and already has her medications for her underlying health condition, Marilyn was still able to finish her work as a laborer-beneficiary of the program.
“Kayang-kaya ko pa pong magtrabaho kahit ako ay senior na. Talagang ginampanan ko pa rin ang magtrabaho at masayang-masaya ako kasi ako po ay isa sa mga nakasama sa programang ito. Napakalaking tulong po yung ayuda na nabigay po para sa aming mahihirap kasi naka dugtong-buhay po talaga ito sa amin,” she proudly shared.
Just like other beneficiaries, Marilyn worked around their barangay and cleaned the streets and sewers, which contributed to the cleanliness of their environment and community. According to her, “Yung trinabaho po namin dito sa Sinuknipan ay naglinis po kami sa mga madamong lugar at sa mga kanal. Yan po talaga ang aming trinabaho kasi para na din po yan sa kalinisan ng aming barangay.”
“Ten days po kaming nagtrabaho. Mainit pero tiniis po alang-alang sa trabaho at tungkulin na tinaggap namin. Naka-sombrero lang po kami habang nagtatrabaho at masaya po kami. Kayang-kaya po namin ang pag-gamas kasi sanay po kami sa ganyan. Basta po kami ay masaya na may pambili na kami ng bigas,” she also added as she shared her experience during their work and how they prioritize spending the assistance they received in buying rice.
She also expressed her deep gratitude to DOLE and to the provincial government for the assistance and benefits she received through the TUPAD Program, “Maraming-maraming salamat po kay Governor Luigi Villafuerte at sa kanyang mga kasamahan at lalung-lalo na sa DOLE kasi mayroon na kaming pambili ng bigas at ulam. Alam naman po natin na sa panahong may pandemya ay medyo hirap ngayon maghanapbuhay kaya po sa pangyayari pong ito, talagang sobra po ang pasasalamat namin ng buong barangay na nakasali po kami sa inyong programa na malaking tulong para sa amin.”
Through the implementation of this program with DOLE, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under the leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, was able to provide solutions to the displacement and unemployment of workers in the province brought by the pandemic. Also, aid was extended to all Camarinenses by earning additional financial support through emergency employment programs that also benefit local communities and the environment as a whole.
