Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III led the distribution of wages to 600 informal workers in Bataan enrolled under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the government.
Speaking before key leaders of the local government, Bello said the awarding is a showing of the country’s persistent support for Filipinos who lost their jobs and livelihood when the corona virus struck.
“As long as DOLE has the resources to give to our needy workers, we’ll be there to help,” Bello said.
190 workers who were awarded are from Pilar while 410 are from Orion where awarding was made via live streaming.
From Pilar, Bello moved to the Bunker City of Balanga where he awarded grants to five projects under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) and distributed certificates of eligibility for 13 applicants for the program.
To recognize compliance to safety and health protocols in workplaces, Bello also awarded Safety Seals to eight locators in the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB).
“I hope these recognitions would inspire other locators in FAB to follow health and safety standards to protect their employees in workplaces,” he said.
While in Bunker City where he was greeted by top provincial executives led by Governor Albert Garcia, Bello also visited the National Government Center at the Atrium building where a DOLE office is going to be set up.
The Labor chief visited a community of lumads in Baranggay Nabuklod, Floridablanca, Pampanga to witness the seedling preparation of TUPAD beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries are part of TUPAD recipients in Pampanga where DOLE released P10 million for the program.
Welcoming Bello in the event are Pampanga congresswoman and former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Governor Dennis Garcia Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia Pineda.
With additional report: The Philippine Star
Image sources: The Manila Times, iOrbitNews, Neda 3 Central Luzon
