Farm workers from Brgy. Fernandez, Maayon, Capiz, have received a crucial lifeline from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office VI, following severe drought conditions attributed to El Niño that disrupted their crop cycles and threatened their livelihoods.
Approximately 200 individuals benefited from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. They were granted emergency employment, with each worker earning Php 4,800 for ten days of community service in their area.
DOLE-VI Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr. ensured that during their community work, which involved rehabilitating public facilities and clearing drainage systems, workers were safeguarded from the extreme heat.
“We understand that due to the prolonged and extreme dry season, the farmlands dried up and, consequently, the farmers and farm workers lost their jobs,” Rodriguez said.
He emphasized the importance of the assistance, saying, “The alternative source of income we provided them means food for their table and an augmentation to their daily needs.”
The program has allocated a total of Php1,047,200 for wages, personal protective equipment, and GSIS Group Personal Accident Insurance for the affected workers.
