DOLE allocates P220 million for cleanup drive

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allocated P220 million for a cleanup drive being carried out by over 11,000 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced Workers or TUPAD program in communities affected by flooding caused by the southwest monsoon.

According to DOLE, 1,418 TUPAD workers have been deployed across flood-prone areas in Metro Manila from Aug. 24 to Oct. 2.

With an allocation of P39.637 million, the workers would help clear debris, unclog drainage systems and waterways and prepare communities for sudden flooding.

In the Ilocos region, another 9,778 workers have been mobilized across Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan. At least P61.17 million have been allocated for their emergency employment.

The program, dubbed “Bayanihan sa Estero,” provides temporary income to workers whose livelihoods may have been disrupted by severe weather while taking an active role in their communities’ recovery.

Beneficiaries were engaged in removing obstructions from waterways and drainage systems, clearing debris, rehabilitation and other disaster-responsive activities in affected communities.

The DOLE said depending on community needs, workers are engaged from 10 to 20 days.

“During (monsoon) season and even before continuous flooding happens, we already mobilized TUPAD workers in the different regions to help in cleaning and declogging of waterways in communities seriously hit by weather disturbances to help provide temporary employment,” DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino said.

DOLE said it would continue mobilizing TUPAD workers in areas affected by severe weather, in coordination with local governments and partner agencies, as part of efforts to support both workers and communities through disaster response and recovery.