By Brian Campued
Around 10,000 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) beneficiaries will be deployed to clear Metro Manila’s drainage systems and waterways as the government expands its flood mitigation efforts under the “Bayanihan sa Estero” Program.
The emergency employment of TUPAD beneficiaries was made possible following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday.
Backed by a P220-million budget, the joint initiative is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure preparedness for the rainy season, especially in Metro Manila where thunderstorms and heavy rains usually result in severe flooding.
DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino stressed that the partnership reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring public health and safety, while providing temporary livelihoods to thousands of Filipinos under the TUPAD program.
“Ang pagkakaisa sa isang inisyatiba upang linisin ang mga daluyan ng tubig tulad ng estero, kanal, at drainage system ay hindi lamang upang maging ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan sa mga pinsalang maaaring idulot ng baha kundi pati na rin ang pag-iwas sa anumang sakit na dulot nito, katulad ng dengue, leptospirosis, at iba pa,” Sec. Tolentino said.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes, meanwhile, noted the significant increase in the deployment of TUPAD beneficiaries for the Bayanihan sa Estero Program, which previously employs 500 workers quarterly.
“Nagpasalamat naman si Artes kay Tolentino at sa buong DOLE sa suporta sa programa. Dagdag pa ni [Chairperson Artes], umaasa siya sa mas marami pang proyekto at pakikipagtulungan sa hinaharap,” the MMDA said in a press release.
Following the deployment of an initial 500 beneficiaries to declog drainage systems, clean local waterways, and implement waste segregation on Wednesday, the DOLE, through its National Capital Region Office, along with MMDA and concerned local government units (LGUs), is also in the process of profiling 3,600 beneficiaries for deployment.
The MMDA, for its part, will lead the overall supervision and implementation of the joint initiative and will monitor the beneficiaries with the help of Metro Manila LGUs.
Under the TUPAD Program, beneficiaries get paid based on the existing minimum wage and the number of days they report to work—or a minimum period of 10 days, but not exceeding a maximum of 30 days.
-jpv
