Bicol: The Department of Agriculture Bicol, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have joined forces to offer employment, skills training, and livelihood opportunities to 311 disadvantaged and displaced workers in the Bicol region. This initiative falls under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.
According to Philippines News Agency, the three agencies solidified their partnership by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on August 10. This agreement seeks to enhance the Livelihood Enterprise Project, which combines employment assistance, agricultural skills development, and livelihood support, enabling beneficiaries to earn a temporary income and gain practical skills for long-term employment or livelihood.
Lovella Guarin, the spokesperson for DA Bicol, stated in a phone interview that the program's implementation is being rolled out in phases across the region, contingent on the orientation and deployment schedule in each province. The distribution of beneficiaries includes 110 from Camarines Sur, 90 from Sorsogon, 40 from Masbate, 34 from Albay, 20 from Camarines Norte, and 17 from Catanduanes.
The program is supported by a PHP12.735 million allocation from DOLE, which is based on a PHP455 daily wage for 90 days, totaling PHP40,950 for each beneficiary. Guarin emphasized that the program provides beneficiaries with practical experience in agricultural activities while they earn a temporary income.
The allocated budget includes PHP4.504 million for Camarines Sur, PHP3.685 million for Sorsogon, PHP1.638 million for Masbate, PHP1.392 million for Albay, PHP819,000 for Camarines Norte, and PHP696,150 for Catanduanes. During their employment, beneficiaries will engage in various activities aligned with the needs of DA offices, facilities, and research stations, including cleaning, maintenance, agricultural activities, farm work, and environmental conservation.
Guarin highlighted that the approach is designed to equip beneficiaries with skills applicable beyond their temporary employment. Under the partnership, DOLE concentrates on employment assistance, including beneficiary validation, wage provision, and program monitoring. DA Bicol provides agricultural technical training and capacity-building in areas such as rice and corn production, mushroom production, tissue culture, animal production, and food processing. TESDA offers skills assessment, technical-vocational training, competency development, and certification opportunities.
Post-employment, beneficiaries may participate in TESDA skills training and assessment, potentially leading to National Certificate II qualifications, subject to passing the required assessment. The training covers certifications like Agricultural Crops Production NC II, Organic Agriculture Production NC II, and Poultry Production NC II.
Guarin expressed the aim for beneficiaries to not only earn wages but also acquire new skills, certifications, and knowledge to leverage for sustainable livelihoods.
