The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) thru its Zamboanga City Field Office (ZCFO) continues to implement the emergency employment program for displaced workers under the TUPAD program.

Since January 2017, a total of 1, 313 workers are serving as street sweepers, cleaners and office maintenance personnel in government offices. Thru the TUPAD program, these workers received a cumulative value of PHP 10, 236,534.00 in salaries computed based on the prevailing minimum wage rates in Region 9 which is P 296.00 per day.

Under TUPAD, cooperating barangays identify the displaced workers and submit their names for listing. The DOLE then drafts work contracts to the effect that they have to work within a certain number of days.

Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) is implemented using the barangay-based employment of workers. A component of DOLE's Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), TUPAD is the DOLE's contribution to the governments' agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and substantial poverty reduction and reduce the vulnerability to risks of poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers.

Report from Josephina A. Crudo, AO-V, ZCFO