For Ms. Myrel Bernal of Agoncillo, Batangas, the recent Typhoon Kristine left their home swamped with mud leaving them housed in an evacuation center while it remains inhabitable.
“Wala na po kaming naisalba. Sa ngayon po ay doon po kami natigil sa evacuation center. Nawalan po kami ng tirahan, hindi naman po s’ya totally na nawala pero hindi pa po s’ya matitirahan pa sa ngayon dahil lubog na lubog po kami sa putik po,” she remarked.
For Mr. Ian Jay Soriano, from the same municipality, the typhoon devastated not only their home but gave them an even more painful loss after their loved one went missing due to the extreme flooding.
“Pumunta ‘yung lolo ko sa baka. Uuwi na sana s’ya ay naabutan s’ya ng malaking baha. Hindi na po makita. Hinahanap pa rin,” Mr. Soriano narrated.
As of writing, Mr. Soriano and the rest of the Agoncillo retrieval team are still looking for his grandfather.

Despite these challenges, Ms. Myrel and Mr. Ian found aid in the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD, the Department’s immediate intervention for typhoon-affected residents.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa DOLE dahil napapanahon po ‘yung binibigay nilang pangangailangan namin. Magagastos po namin s’ya lalong lalo na sa baha. Kailangang kailangan po namin s’ya para maibalik ulit sa ayos ‘yung aming tirahan,” she shared.
DOLE Regional Office IV-A - Batangas Provincial Office recently conducted a payout of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program salaries for typhoon-affected residents of Agoncillo and San Nicolas, Batangas, October 30.
Aside from the payout in Agoncillo, DOLE Batangas also spearheaded several activities in typhoon-hit municipalities including Laurel, Batangas.
Beneficiaries whose homes and livelihoods were affected expressed their gratitude to DOLE for providing them with employment and financial aid just when they needed it.
“Lalo po ngayon laking tulong po talaga ang binigay sa amin kaya po nagpapasalamat po kami ng marami tulad po sa nabigay ng DOLE,” Ms. Lhany Edangga stated.

For 49-year-old Ms. Maria Neneth Araneta who also received her TUPAD salary, the aid will be used to supply their day-to-day needs.
“Gagamitin din po sa pangangailangan sa pamilya, pambili ng bigas, [at] pagkain,” she said.
The Department continues to reinforce its programs to help more survivors of the calamity in Batangas and different parts of the region.
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