The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday provided more than PHP48 million worth of various assistance to 9,000 residents of Masbate province affected by Severe Tropical Storm Opong last week.
During his visit on Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, together with Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, personally visited affected communities and led the distribution of government assistance at the Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City.
“Meron tayong cash assistance dahil ang bawat pamilya ay iba-iba ang pangangailangan. Kaya’t hindi naman basta’t ito lang ang ating ibibigay (We have cash assistance because every family has different needs. So, this won’t be the only form of help we provide),” Marcos said.
The President assured the families that the government will assist them until they recover.
“Iyan po ay tuluy-tuloy naman po ang ating ginawa. At kagaya nang aking nabanggit, huwag po kayong mag-alala nandito po kami at kung anong pangangailangan niyo – pagkain, gamot, cash, kung anuman, ay nandito po tayo para tulungan kayo (This is part of our ongoing efforts. As I mentioned, don’t worry, we are here, and whatever you need —food, medicine, cash, or anything else — we are here to help you),” he added.
DOLE distributed more than PHP29.8 million in Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) wages for 6,455 beneficiaries across 11 municipalities, namely San Pascual, Aroroy, Balud, Baleno, Milagros, Dimasalang, Palanas, Esperanza, Pio V. Corpus, Placer, and Cataingan.
Another 446 workers from Batuan, Claveria, Monreal, San Fernando, Mandaon, Milagros, Mobo, Cataingan, Placer, and Uson will be immediately deployed under TUPAD for cleanup, rehabilitation, and community projects.
The intervention is worth PHP2.03 million and is set to address urgent needs in areas still reeling from the impact of Opong.
A total of 1,870 workers across different municipalities are currently undergoing profiling to prepare them for the next wave of TUPAD implementation, with a budget allocation of PHP8.5 million.
The DOLE Bicol also allocated PHP5 million for 100 beneficiaries under its Integrated Livelihood Program.
The beneficiaries will receive starter kits and livelihood support to help rebuild small-scale enterprises.
Also, the Government Internship Program (GIP) is being rolled out in the amount of PHP2.7 million to accommodate 150 interns across the province, providing young workers with valuable work experience in government service. (PNA)
