SAN JOSE, Antique – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is seeking exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disburse the wages of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD) beneficiaries in the province.
The DOLE provincial office urged Comelec regional director Dennis Ausan to approve the exemption of the initial 15-day payment of workers since the election ban was imposed on March 29 until May 13, said provincial director Melisa Navarra.
Navarra said around 16,000 TUPAD workers in Antique began working last March 25 and will be rendering services for 30 days, except during the Holy Week and Easter Sunday.
“The TUPAD workers will already be getting their remaining 15-day wages after the May 13 election so there will be no more banning then,” she said.
Navarra added in case the Comelec would disallow their request, the TUPAD workers would be getting their full 30-day wages after the election.
TUPAD is implemented in Antique to provide short-term alternative livelihood for farm workers displaced by the El Niño phenomenon. (With a report from PNA/PN)
