40 women in the town of Looc have begun on short-term employment contracts aimed at acquiring new livelihood skills through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
DOLE-Romblon said that these women were assigned tasks different from the usual janitorial or road maintenance chores given to most TUPAD beneficiaries. Instead, they were hired for 10 working days to learn basket-making and basic handicrafts.
“This training aims to equip women with necessary skills on basket-weaving and basic handicrafts and in the long run, create sustainable livelihoods and jobs,” DOLE-Romblon said.
The beneficiaries are members of a local women’s cooperative called “Kababaihan: Lamang ang May Alam (KaLMA),” which translates to “knowledge gives advantage.”
The TUPAD program allows these women to earn PHP395 per day, the prevailing minimum wage in the Mimaropa Region, amounting to PHP3,950 for 10 days of work during the skills training period. The program is an emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a minimum of 10 days, but not exceeding 30 days.
Post-training, participants will receive additional assistance to register as a workers association, enabling them to avail of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program and kickstart their livelihood projects.
DOLE said that the association is set to receive livelihood grants, including tools, jigs, and equipment necessary for producing a variety of baskets and handicrafts.
