DOLE-CAR TOLD TO SPEED UP PAYMENT OF TUPAD BENEFICIARIES

14 May 2021 – City officials are requesting the Cordillera office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-CAR) to facilitate the speedy and timely release of the payment of wages of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged and Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program beneficiaries in the city.

Under Resolution No. 218, series of 2021 that was signed by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, local legislators stated that the passage of the said resolution is relevant and imperative to ensure that the aforesaid form of government assistance for socio-economic relief can be received by its intended beneficiaries in a speedy and timely manner in consonance with the DOLE Department Order No. 219, series of 2018 that prescribed the guidelines in the implementation of TUPAD under Bayanihan 2.

The council said that the speedy and timely release of wages to TUPAD beneficiaries is a great help and a need in itself to the displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers in improving their financial and economic freedoms to cope with the devastating effects of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID) 2019, thus, the delayed or untimely release of wages to TUPAD beneficiaries may cause further economic and financial disadvantages to them and to their families.

The body stipulated that the outbreak of the deadly virus in the different parts of the world constituted an emergency that threatened public health, local and national economy and national security that requires a whole of government response, including the implementation of urgent and critical measures to mitigate its effect and impact to the community, and prevent serious disruption of government and the community.

Under the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the State guarantees the protection of labor, promotion of full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all. It is the policy of the State to uphold the people’s constitutional rights of life and property, and provide maximum care, assistance and services to individuals and families affected by disaster, implement emergency rehabilitation projects to lessen the impact of disasters and facilitate resumption of normal socio and economic activities.

According to the resolution, TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides temporary or emergency employment to workers from the informal sectors who are either underemployed, self-employed, seasonal workers, or displaced marginalized workers for shoe earnings are affected due to community restrictions and shall perform community work in their respective barangays for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

For the duration of March 15-29, 2021, the council noted that the TUPAD beneficiaries in the city who have continuously performed and successfully completed their tasks in various activities which their barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials have assigned to them are yet to receive their remunerations or wages and that no information was provided on the definite date for their payout. – Dexter A. See