ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is extending aid to farmers in Western Visayas impacted by the El Niño phenomenon to help alleviate its effects on their livelihoods.
“We have already allocated funds for this purpose, and if necessary, we are prepared to secure additional funds. We have also identified specific areas that will benefit from this initiative,” said DOLE Region 6 director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr.
The provincial offices of DOLE-6 are actively responding to the requests of concerned local government units (LGUs) seeking support, he said.
The assistance began with the distribution of aid to affected farmers in Negros Occidental and Capiz through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
Assistant Regional Director Melisa Navarra said this program provides emergency employment to mitigate the harsh impacts of extreme weather conditions.
Beneficiaries engaged in community service tasks such as cleanup operations, unclogging drainage systems, and preparing community gardens, with each worker receiving a wage of P4,800 for 10 days of service.
Navarra emphasized that the assistance depends on the requests submitted by LGUs.
Aside from the TUPAD program, discussions are ongoing between DOLE-6 and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 to implement convergence programs for farmers affected by El Niño.
According to Navarra, DOLE-6 received directives from Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to collaborate with DSWD in implementing the Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI) programs.
These initiatives aim to enhance the adaptive capacities of poor and vulnerable families during severe droughts by providing cash-for-training and cash-for-work opportunities, ultimately reducing the impacts of food insecurity and water scarcity.
Beneficiaries will construct water reservoirs and other water-related infrastructures and will receive compensation based on the Regional Daily Minimum Wage Rate for 10 to 25 days of work.
Navarra clarified that an LGU does not need to be declared a state of calamity to request assistance from DOLE. However, she noted that the province of Antique, which has declared a state of calamity, is being prioritized in identifying beneficiaries for the TUPAD program while the implementation of LAWA and BINHI programs is still being finalized.
Rodriguez said partnering with DSWD simplifies the process of identifying recipients due to the department’s readily available lists of potential beneficiaries.
According to data from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6, 51 LGUs in the region have already submitted damage reports due to El Niño. These are the following:
* Iloilo (20 LGUs) – Tigbauan, Oton, Tubungan, Anilao, San Enrique, Cabatuan, Barotac Nuevo, Miag-ao, Mina, Dingle, Dumangas, Igbaras, Banate, Zarraga, San Miguel, Carles, Barotac Viejo, Concepcion, Estancia, and Leon
* Negros Occidental (12 LGUs) – Himamaylan, Cauayan, Hinobaan, Sipalay, Binalbagan, Isabela, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Ilog, Kabankalan, Valladolid, and Murcia
* Antique (12 LGUs) – Hamtic, Patnongon, Valderrama, Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, San Jose, Sibalom, San Remegio, Barbaza, Culasi, Laua-an, and Bugasong
* Capiz (one LGU) – Dumarao
* Aklan (six LGUs) – Malinao, Lezo, Banga, New Washington, Altavas, and Madalag
Of these, the province of Antique; the towns of Sara and Estancia in the province of Iloilo; the towns of San Lorenzo and Buenavista in Guimaras; and the town of San Enrique in Negros Occidental, and Iloilo City declared a state of calamity./PN
