MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Around 20,000 residents of Oriental Mindoro, affected by an oil spill from the sunken M/V Princess Empress, will be receiving emergency employment and assistance from the government.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) signed an agreement with other government agencies for the application of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced workers, also known as TUPAD.
The allocated budget from DOLE will be P110 million for the TUPAD program in 11 areas of Oriental Mindoro.
“With the agreement, 19,892 beneficiaries in affected areas in Oriental Mindoro will receive P110 million-worth of emergency employment and livelihood assistance through the TUPAD,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma stated.
The assistance will be distributed to Pola (P5,065,875.00); Naujan (P9,143,103.00); Mansalay (P11,051,103.00); Pinamalayan (P17,886,147.00); Bansud (P7,787,673.00); Bulalacao (P13,355,514.00); Gloria (P8,207,055.00); Bongabong (P7,782,042.00); Roxas (P7,748,256.00); San Teodoro (P344,835.00); and Calapan City (P19,840,932.00).
Around 15,000 fishermen, resort workers, and other businesses were affected in the area of the oil spill.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the Department of Tourism will also start a capacity development training program in culinary or food, farm, micro retail, and health and wellness tourism for qualified workers.
Local government, PGOM, and DOLE will act as an administrator to ensure coverage of the affected workers and continuous implementation of the project, as well as watching the assimilation of trained beneficiaries to show their reliance.
Aside from DOLE’s assistance, there will be other government agencies helping, such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro (PGOM).
There will be a training center in Lipa, Batangas, by TESDA for worker-beneficiaries. The training center will try to produce 1,200 graduates who are demand-driven, sustainable, and can work in various industries. – WhatALife!/Zain
Also read: DOLE: Financial Aid, Not Wage Increase On Labor Day
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