CITY OF MALOLOS — The Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) continues to strengthen its livelihood support in the province as 900 Bulakenyos joined the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Orientation organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Provincial Public Employment Service Office on Tuesday, June 30, at the Bulacan Sports Complex in this city.
TUPAD, also known as DOLE’s Emergency Employment Program, is a 10-day community-based service offered to displaced workers, vulnerable individuals, and marginalized sectors who are in need of a temporary source of income.
Manuel Torres, a 45-year-old fisherman from the town of Hagonoy and one of the attendees of the program, shared the reason why he joined TUPAD, stressing his need for a bigger income as fishing becomes hard these days due to high tide.
“Pambili ng bigas at saka gamot ng nanay ko. Ako kasi ay mangingisda, minsan naman ay hindi ako makalaot kapag sobrang laki ng tubig at lakas ng hangin. Hindi ako makapamalakaya nang ayos. Kaya ako sumali dito, extra na kita rin at saka pambili ng gamit sa bangka,” he said.
Like Torres, 36-year-old Charina Jose from the City of Baliwag also wanted to have extra income to support the educational needs of her three children.
“Kailangan po kasi magkaroon ng extra income. As a housewife po, wala po kasi akong trabaho. Kaya need ko po ng extra din kasi nag-aaral po ‘yung tatlo kong anak. Wala po akong permanent work, gumagawa lang po ako ng shanghai, gano’n,” Jose shared.
The TUPAD workers will receive P6,000 after they finish their eight-hour duty for two weeks. This salary is based on the minimum wage of P600 per day and will be distributed through remittance centers.
Meanwhile, Governor Daniel R. Fernando said through his representative, Micahdel Trine,that programs like this are important as it gives an opportunity to Bulakenyos to have an extra source of livelihood. He also hopes this would serve as motivation to work harder for their families.
“Napakahalaga po ng programang ito dahil nagbibigay ito ng pagkakataon na magkaroon tayo ng pansamantalang hanapbuhay habang patuloy po tayong bumabangon at nagsisikap para sa ating mga pamilya. Sana po ay maging inspirasyon po ito na lalo pa nating pagbutihin ang ating mga trabaho at gamitin nang maayos ang pagkakataon pong ipinagkaloob sa atin,” Fernando said.
