The Department of Labor and Employment proposed to include its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) programs in the second Bayanihan to Recover as One bill to help displaced workers.
The DOLE said once the bill is signed into law, it will be able to release funds for the second tranche of the TUPAD program to assist informal workers who were not able to receive assistance in the first tranche.
“Mayroon tayong emergency employment program under our TUPAD program at nilalayon nito under the Bayanihan to Recover as One para maabot po natin ang isang milyon na workers under the informal sectors (We have an emergency employment program under our TUPAD program, which, under the Bayanihan to Recover as One, aims to extend the aid to 1 million workers of the informal sector),” DOLE ASec. Dominique Tutay disclosed.
The DOLE is also coordinating with the private sector to provide employment for displaced workers and returning OFWs. Some companies in the IT and BPO industry have been looking for additional workers.
Meanwhile, the DOLE added that it is continuously preparing to fly home displaced OFWs and the remains of overseas Filipinos who died abroad.
– Report from Kenneth Paciente