DOLE releases P1.5M for quake victims in NegOr

Monday 23rd of April 2012

DUMAGUET CITY, April 23 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released P1.5 million recently for victims of the 6.9-earthquake that hit Negros Oriental on February this year.

The cash assistance is through DOLE’s Tulong-Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program under the Comprehensive Emergency Employment program for rural workers in the municipalities of Ayungon, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Tayasan and the city of Guihulngan in the first district.

The employment of the victims would be in a form of public infrastructure reconstruction of damaged facilities in the area.

DOLE officer-in-charge Vivencio Lagahid said the employment of the victims may transform their current situations, rebuild their devastated houses, regain their lost properties, and start alternative livelihood with their families in a short span of time.

Of the amount, the five local government units will have P300,000 and 100 workers each for the daily minimum wage of P200 per worker in 15 days.

DOLE regional director Ma. Gloria Tango turned over the checks to the respective mayors and local treasurers witnessed by the first district Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong.

TUPAD is an emergency employment program seeking to help displaced workers cope and recover from emergencies or destructive earthquake.

Under the program, displaced workers are given short-term wage employment as immediate source of income for their day-to-day living. (rmn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)