DOLE REINFORCES TUPAD TO 1,000 CALAMITY-AFFECTED BENEFICIARIES IN TINGLOY, BATANGAS

After a series of typhoons and volcanic threats, communities from Batangas, especially those located within rural and far-flung areas continue to experience cycles of disruptions in their livelihood and struggles in recovering from losses.

In the month of September alone, the country experienced two to three typhoons which had direct affect on various areas including Batangas who experienced up to Wind Signal No. 3.

Aside from these weather conditions, the risks brought by continuous activities from Taal Volcano still pose a threat to the safety of nearby municipalities.

With this, Jomar Neil Moren and Baby Sherill Macaraig from Tingloy, Batangas both struggled to keep up with the challenges brought by the successive storms and disasters.

Eleven years ago, Jomar Neil, a 28-year-old resident of Brgy. San Jose, met an accident while making “katig” or outrigger and support of their boat–affecting his right-eye and eventually led to its blindness.

Despite this, Jomar found ways to help his family and provide for them. However, since he depends mostly on fishing combined with the recent typhoons, catching a bountiful amount of fish is almost impossible to do.

On the other hand, Baby Sherill, a 39-year-old resident of Brgy. 15, is solely providing for her 17-year old child’s needs through her small e-loading business.

Through the small income she gains from her business, she is able to support her son’s education especially now that he is in his last year in senior high school, as well as their daily needs.

Baby Sherill Macaraig (left) and Jomar Neil Moren (right) shared how they were affected by the recent storms and how TUPAD helped them recover. (Photo by Mary Anne Lucero/ DOLE-BPO)

The stories of Sherill and Jomar are among the narratives from the 500 Tingloy residents who received their salary through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for typhoon-affected residents in Batangas.

Together with other beneficiaries, Sherill and Jomar expressed joy after they received their transaction codes that they will use to claim their salaries at the money remittance center.

“Malaki po ang naitutulong ng Tupad dahil ako ay solo parent. Pandagdag puhunan na po ito sa aking munting pinagkakakitaan at magagamit sa mga kailangan namin sa bahay,” Baby Sherill said

500 residents affected by the typhoon received their much-needed salary through DOLE TUPAD . (Photo by Criszel Irish Ginay/ DOLE-BPO)

After a brief orientation on how beneficiaries can claim their salaries, the payout started with the TUPAD coordinators verifying the beneficiaries’ valid IDs and disseminating the transaction codes.

On the same day, DOLE BPO also conducted the orientation of the next batch of 500 beneficiaries from Tingloy.

Realizing the situation and needs of the residents from Tingloy, Atty. Aquino together with DOLE BPO, did their best to assist and finally provide for another 500 beneficiaries from the island.

This is the result of continuous coordination of DOLE and the local government unit of Tingloy to make government programs more accessible to marginalized communities from rural areas.

DOLE BPO conducts orientation for the next set of beneficiaries from Tingloy, Batangas. (Photo by Criszel Irish Ginay/ DOLE-BPO)

After the short program, the beneficiaries, together with the TUPAD coordinators, conducted the orientation and the signing of the contract.

After the ten-day community service, the TUPAD beneficiaries shall receive their salary as compensation for the work rendered.

DOLE Batangas, together with its partnering agencies, still works to reach more marginalized Filipinos, provide programs such as TUPAD, and help them achieve a more sustainable and comfortable life.