Workers displaced by oil spill in Bataan, other areas get temporary jobs
By Trixee Rosel
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has provided temporary jobs for workers who lost their livelihoods as a result of the oil spill that hit some the coastal areas of Central Luzon.
As of Aug. 2, DOLE Region III has started profiling local fishermen and residents for emergency employment under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.
An initial fund of P45 million was allocated to support temporary employment across three districts in Bataan.
Currently, 1,357 TUPAD workers are involved in collecting coconut husks and building oil spill booms under the supervision of local environmental offices.
The workers are also engaged in cleanup operations related to Typhoon Carina.
In Bulacan, 1,350 TUPAD beneficiaries are focused on cleaning flood-damaged areas and constructing oil spill booms from materials like coconut husks, hair, and plastic bottles. Profiling for additional workers is ongoing in 18 barangays.
Furthermore, DOLE, in partnership with local governments and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), has secured P800,000 to cover wages for 50 TUPAD workers in Lubao, Pampanga, and 30 in San Jose, Tarlac.
The DOLE Central Office is also preparing to approve a supplemental fund of P237,802,054.74 to further support the severely impacted regions in Bataan, Bulacan, and Pampanga.