Workers who lost their jobs in a disastrous oil spill in Oriental Mindoro in the past year received P257 million in livelihood assistance.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said they were able to provide emergency employment assistance to about 61,929 workers, mainly fisherfolk, in the CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Western Visayas regions. This Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program ran from March through December 2023.
Aid amounting to P3 million was also extended to 210 workers in the three regions under DOLE's Integrated Livelihood Program.
For MIMAROPA, 57,067 workers under the TUPAD program received wages totalling upwards of P220 million.
A total of P5.6 million was apportioned for 765 workers who had received skills training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for small engine repair, organic farming, carpentry, masonry, motor vehicle driving, and others.
DOLE granted 2,063 workers in Antique temporary employment, along with salaries which accumulated to over P17 million, and for 100 in Barangays Semirara, Sibolo, Tinogboc, and Sibato, DOLE gave P2 million.
In Isla Verde and Tingloy, 2,043 beneficiaries were put to work under temporary employment with salaries collectively adding up to P10 million.
Motor tanker Princess Empress, which carried 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil, sank by Naujan town on February 28, 2023. Its oil spill caused at least P41.2 billion in damages.
