Zamboanga City - Addressing the income needs of disadvantaged workers and the community clean-up drives blended as the DOLE Zamboanga City Field Office partnered with the Local Government of Zamboanga and Office of Congresswoman Lilia Nu?o (2nd District) in the implementation of the TUPAD program.

TUPAD, a moniker for Tulong Pangkabuhayan Sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers, is an emergency employment mechanism was implemented since April 1 this year for the one hundred and forty three displaced workers and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in eleven barangays in Zamboanga City. Workers undertook various clean-up drives such as drainage cleaning, waste disposal and maintenance and greening and mangrove planting. Included in the work package are various personal protective equipment such as gloves, boots, t-shirts, hats and face masks all provided for free by the DOLE.

The TUPAD program also provides cash assistance to affected families in the form of wages, which is hoped to reach the more than a million level in the next six months.

Zamboanga City Field Office Head Ian A Lahi said "at present, the barangays serviced by TUPAD workers are Sta. Maria, Sta. Catalina, Zone 2, Zone 4, Guiwan, Tetuan, Tugbungan, Taluksangay, Arena Blanco, Talabaan and Talon-Talon."

The next batch of TUPAD workers will be deployed in District 1.

Jeng A. Crudo, ZCFO