By Warren Elijah E. Valdez
DAVAO CITY – More than 500 vendors displaced by the city government’s order to temporarily close the Roxas Night Market have been enrolled into the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers, or TUPAD, program, under the Department of Labor and Employment.
PCUP Supervising Commissioner for Mindanao Norman Baloro (PNA)
This was was disclosed by Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) Supervising Commissioner for Mindanao Norman Baloro.
Baloro said in a text message Monday, the displaced workers will start working Tuesday, March 17.
A total of 502 individuals, including the night market’s vendors and masseurs, were enrolled into the TUPAD program.
“They will start working March 17, Tuesday, for 30 working days, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays,” Baloro said.
TUPAD is a community-based package assistance from the national government. The program provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers. This gives the workers a minimum period of 10 days, but not exceed to a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.
Baloro said the workers will be receiving a salary of P386 per-day or a total of P11,880.
Last Friday, Mayor Sara Duterte ordered for the indefinite suspension of the Roxas Night Market’s regular operation due to the threat of localized transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The mayor nevertheless gave the displaced vendors the assurance that the city government will help them.
“Earlier, a meeting was conducted by Commissioner Norman Baloro who is in charge of our TUPAD program under DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment). They had a meeting with Atty. (Lawrence) Batinding who is in charge of the Roxas Night Market and (maam) Malou Bermudo of CSSDO (City Social Services and Development Office) on the coordination to roll out of our TUPAD program for our vendors,” she said.
Meanwhile, Baloro said the individuals affected by the closure of the night market and or their beneficiaries will be the recipient of the assistance through a cash-for-work scheme which will commence on March 17 until April 29.
“The potential beneficiary will be compensated with a salary of P336 per day, and a total of P11,880 for 30 days,” he said.
Baloro said the potential beneficiaries will be working along with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) to improve Roxas Night Market through landscaping, cleaning, painting, and tree planting in the area.
Baloro said the beneficiaries will closely be monitored by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), PESO, PCUP, DOLE, and City Security Unit (CSU) under the Office of the City Mayor.
The beneficiaries will have eight working hours a day following the government time which starts from 8 a.m to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.