The Department of Labor and Employment will soon add urban gardening as one of TUPAD Program’s work models to cater to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups. (Photo Courtesy: DOLE)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is bringing the “Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD)” program closer to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups.
DOLE-NCR CAMANAVA Field Office Director Rowella V. Grande explained that this initiative aims to improve the program of work of TUPAD by deviating from the usual clearing and cleaning operations delegated to displaced workers who are seeking emergency employment.
Through integrating inclusivity in the work model of TUPAD, differently-abled individuals will be given access to employment opportunities that best fit their needs and circumstances.
“It’s not the usual implementation of TUPAD. We want to model this in hopes that it will become a regular program,” said Grande, echoing DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma’s standing order to establish a convergence strategy in the implementation of TUPAD.
Urban gardening is one of the projects that will be included in TUPAD’s program of work which anchors the local food security initiatives of the government.
A total of 50 PWDs and single parents have been initially targeted for the first rollout of this project alongside hospital patients who want to be reintegrated back into society through economic empowerment.
These beneficiaries will be selected from the Livelihood, Education, and Rehabilitation Center (LERC) and the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (DJNRMHS, otherwise known as the Tala Hospital) in Caloocan City.
The identified beneficiaries are expected to render 4 hours for 20 days performing hydroponic farming in the vertical garden of the Tala hospital and receive a minimum wage of P610 per day or a total of P12,200 for the whole month.
The rollout will be done in 3 batches starting from August to September 2024.
This inclusive venture is a product of the partnership between the member agencies and organizations of the Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC) of the DJNRMHS headed by Philippine Information Agency-National Capital Region (PIA-NCR) Regional Director Emver P. Cortez.
The MSGC primarily prioritizes the advancement of circular economy while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the vulnerable sector towards the establishment of a community-led inclusive development.
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This strategic collaboration will ultimately lead to the creation of more green jobs that will not only address employment gaps but also contribute to the country’s environmental sustainability. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
