The National Irrigation Administration in Mimaropa region recently covered 542 farmers of various irrigator associations in the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the municipality of Aborlan in Palawan.
The recipients are entitled to temporary wage employment, particularly farmers facing difficulties in planting, emergencies, and seasonal adversities in El Niño, disasters, pandemics, or other crises.
The initial group of beneficiaries assisted by Institutional Development Unit for the first phase include various irrigators associations (IA) such as Jorizan Malatgao RIS IA Inc., Jose Rizal of Aborlan Farmers IA, Inc., Agkakaruba IA, Inc., Paradise Teleng Farmers IA, Samahang Magsasaka ng Apoaporawan at Paradahan, Inc., Magsasaka ng Apoc-Apoc, Tigman at Plaridel IA, Inc., CIS Kuburean Farmers IA, Inc., and Talakaigan Apocapoc IA, Inc.
As part of their contract under the program, beneficiaries signed a contract to work for 10 days at a minimum daily wage of 395 pesos.
The workers’ responsibilities include participating in community service activities such as beautifying irrigation canals and structures.
Additionally, all TUPAD beneficiaries are enrolled in GSIS accident insurance for their protection. They have also attended an orientation to understand assigned duties and contract obligations.
The orientation was facilitated by DOLE and attended by staff from NIA Palawan IMO, 3rd District Caretaker Office, and IAs.
The NIA MIMAROPA, Palawan IMO is continuously collaborating with DOLE to identify potential recipients for the 2nd phase of the TUPAD program based on the list of farmer beneficiaries submitted by NIA
