The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has distributed P4 billion worth of financial assistance to 700,000 beneficiary-workers in various parts of the country on Labor Day.
Under DOLE's "Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD)" Program, a total of 673,480 workers were given financial assistance amounting to more than P3.377 billion.
Among the beneficiaries were 200 decommissioned combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from different municipalities in Basilan.
They were employed for 30 days, and each received wages amounting to P10,080.
They were also given personal safety equipment and micro-insurance during their temporary employment.
The assistance is a component of the effort to enhance intergovernmental labor connections between the DOLE and the Ministry of Labor and Employment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Meanwhile, under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program or Kabuhayan Program, a total of 35,598 individuals were granted livelihood assistance amounting to more than P706 million.
Beneficiaries participating in the program receive essential resources such as raw materials, equipment, tools, and common service facilities to support their efforts in initiating, improving, or recovering their livelihoods.
They are also equipped with personal protective equipment, micro-insurance, seminars on basic occupational safety and health emergency first aid, as well as training on productivity and entrepreneurship to guarantee the long-term success of their business endeavors.