The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has augmented its emergency employment program to support the operation of the “Kadiwa sa Pasko 2022” caravan in selected areas in Metro Manila.
DOLE-National Capital Region (NCCR) director Sarah Buena S. Mirasol said Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) workers are in charge of the clean-up, maintenance, and other possible support for Kadiwa markets and stalls.
Mirasol said the “Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita” (KADIWA) program has enabled the farming community to sell goods directly to consumers without the trader-intermediaries.
Launched and spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in 2019, the Kadiwa program allows higher profits for local farmers while still offering consumers quality products at affordable prices.
The government highlighted the project during the Covid-19 outbreak amid the continuous increase in the prices of commodities.
With the continuous efforts towards economic recovery, the DA, together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and DOLE, launched the “Kadiwa sa Pasko” which started on November up to the last day of December this year.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. led the launching of the Kadiwa market at the Molave Covered Court in Mandaluyong City, along with DOLE officials, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr., DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual, and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos.
Simultaneous launching in other Metro Manila sites was also held, including Valenzuela City Hall; Derham Park, Pasay City; Brgy. Tumana Covered Court, Marikina City; Quezon City Hall; Parañaque City Sports and Social Hall; San Juan City Hall; Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City; Caloocan City Hall; and Makati City Hall.
On the part of the Labor Department, Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma vowed to support the Kadiwa program through its existing emergency employment program and other flagship projects.
Laguesma directed the concerned labor officials to facilitate necessary assistance to Kadiwa sellers and drivers who wanted to avail themselves of the TUPAD program.
DOLE NCR has profiled a total of 188 Kadiwa sellers and drivers who signified their interest to avail of emergency employment.
TUPAD platform is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers 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.
Workers could earn a salary range of P3,400 to P5,100 depending on the day of rendering services such as cleaning, disinfection, greening, tree-planting, and other community-based working activities.