TUPAD-Tuloy Pasada expands to 216 maritime transport workers in Dinagat Islands
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment-Province of Dinagat Islands Field Office (DOLE-PDIFO) expanded the program on TUPAD-Tuloy Pasada to maritime transport workers and conducted simultaneous orientations to 216 beneficiaries across the province.
The beneficiaries were composed of maritime transport workers from 20 passenger vessels operating in the seven municipalities of Dinagat Islands. The project had a total allocation of P1,539,000.
Under the program on TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers)-Tuloy Pasada, which means sustainable transport, qualified beneficiaries will receive wages equivalent to the prevailing regional minimum wage for 15 days while continuing to perform their regular duties aboard passenger boats and vessels.
Before implementation, beneficiaries attended orientations on program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and their responsibilities.
The activity was conducted with the support of local government units, the Philippine Coast Guard–Dinagat Islands Station, the Philippine Ports Authority, vessel operators, transport associations, and other stakeholders across the province.
For an island province, maritime transport plays a critical role in connecting communities and facilitating passenger movement across municipalities. Through the expansion of TUPAD-Tuloy Pasada, assistance is now being extended to workers in both the land and maritime transport sectors.
On May 27, DOLE-PDIFO, in coordination with the local government of San Jose through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO), conducted the first orientation of the program on TUPAD-Tuloy Pasada to 245 tricycle drivers from the San Jose Motorized Drivers Association (SJMODA) at the covered court of San Jose town.
As part of the local implementation of the program, members of the SJMODA extended the “diskwento singko” or fare discount to passengers for 15 days to help reduce daily transportation costs for commuters in the community.
San Jose Mayor Ruben J D. Zuniega said, “The local government of San Jose expressed support for initiatives that assist transport workers and help maintain accessible transportation services for the public.”
He also emphasized the importance of cooperation, discipline, and compliance among beneficiaries to ensure the smooth and proper implementation of the program.
The successful conduct of the orientation to both inland and maritime transport workers reflected the continuing commitment of DOLE-PDIFO and its partner stakeholders in implementing programs that support transportation workers and promote accessible and reliable public transportation services in the Province of Dinagat Islands.
This initiative is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration to strengthen social protection measures and provide timely assistance to vulnerable workers facing economic challenges. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from DOLE PDI)
