CALAMBA CITY, Laguna - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 4-A (Calabarzon) has allocated PHP424.4 million for the beneficiaries of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program across the region. DOLE 4-A Director, lawyer Roy L. Buenafe, said in a statement Wednesday that the agency has set aside the amount to mitigate the adverse effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) in the provinces of Calabarzon through the TUPAD program, benefitting more than 72,000 affected individuals. "This intervention is needed now more than ever to provide income-earning capacity for our disadvantaged workers, thereby allowing them to contribute to the efforts of the community in rehabilitation and recovery," Buenafe said. Accordingly, the beneficiaries will work for 10 days, engaging in community clean-up, debris clearing, and rehabilitation of public infrastructure until next month. They will receive the highest prevailing minimum wage rate in the region. The amount of assistance will be rolled out regionwide with the province of Batangas getting the biggest share of more than PHP172 million benefitting more than 29,729 workers; followed by Cavite with PHP87 million for more than 14,000 residents; Laguna, more than PHP87 million covering more than 14,000 workers; Quezon, PHP61.46 million for the benefit of 10,764 workers; and Rizal, PHP16.3 million for 2,816 disadvantaged workers. "With the declaration of state of calamity in some areas in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), we hope that this intervention would help improve the vulnerability of the affected workers and the communities it serves," Buenafe said. Source: Philippines News Agency