More than 251,000 workers displaced by Severe Tropical Storm "Kristine" have received emergency employment assistance in the Bicol and Calabarzon regions, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.
DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said the displaced employees were primarily located in the provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Laguna, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Norte.
“One of our programs for the displaced workers is TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers),” Benavidez noted, explaining that this cash-for-work initiative offers 10 days of emergency employment and corresponding pay to those affected.
He said that over 83,000 workers in the Bicol region have benefited from the TUPAD program, reflecting the government’s swift response to the calamity.
The department is also prepared to provide additional livelihood grant assistance, with a maximum of P50,000 available for individuals and up to P3 million for groups or associations aiming to restore or establish their livelihoods.
Benavidez encouraged affected workers to visit the nearest DOLE field office or their local Public Employment Service offices to access these vital programs.
The ongoing impact of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Leon has led to a rising death toll, which now stands at 145, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The storms have affected a staggering 7,033,922 individuals, comprising 1,788,630 families across 17 regions, with the Bicol region bearing the brunt of the impact, affecting 2,343,175 people.
Central Luzon and Calabarzon follow, with 1,061,766 and 752,793 individuals affected, respectively.