More than 20,000 workers, who were severely affected by the massive oil spill in Oriental Mindoro last February, will receive assistance in the form of emergency employment benefits and capacity development training for livelihood projects, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Monday.
In a statement, DOLE said it has allocated ₱110 million worth of emergency employment and livelihood assistance through DOLE's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program for 19,892 affected workers.
“While DOLE provides temporary aid to disadvantaged or displaced workers under the TUPAD Program, the department still strives to bring more sustainable and inclusive assistance to the affected individuals and families,” DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma noted.
The following municipalities in Oriental Mindoro will receive the assistance:
- Pola – ₱5,065,875
- Naujan – ₱9,143,103
- Mansalay – ₱11,051,103
- Pinamalayan – ₱17,886,147
- Bansud – ₱7,787,673
- Bulalacao – ₱13,355,514
- Gloria – ₱8,207,055
- Bongabong – ₱7,782,042
- Roxas – ₱7,748,256
- San Teodoro – ₱344,835
- Calapan City – ₱19,840,932
According to Laguesma, the distribution of the aid will be led by DOLE in coordination with the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro.
Written By Ailah Francisco, DZRH News Online Intern
