KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar. 26 (PIA) -Tricycle drivers, ambulant vendors, and other workers in the informal sector whose livelihoods are affected by the community quarantines being enforced by local government units due to coronavirus pandemic may avail of emergency employment through the Department of Labor and Employment's TUPAD #BKBK.

"TUPAD #BKBK, which stands for Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers Program #Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfecting/Sanitation Project, provides temporary wage employment for tricycle drivers and other workers in the informal sector," Arlene Bisnon, OIC assistant regional director of DOLE 12, said during the COVID-19 press briefing Tuesday.

Based on the original TUPAD concept, TUPAD #BKBK beneficiaries, including underemployed, self-employed, and displaced marginalized workers who have lost their livelihoods or whose earnings were affected by the coronavirus pandemic, will be provided emergency employment for 10 days.

"Their jobs is to disinfect their houses and their communities. They will be required to only work for only 4 hours per day and will be paid P326 per day based on the existing wage order," Bisnon explained.

Bisnon emphasized that besides shorter work hours, beneficiaries are required to keep social distancing while doing the disinfection jobs and regularly wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

DOLE 12 will provide the cleaning solutions.

Initially, DOLE has earmarked P8.4 million for the implementation of the TUPAD #BKBK project in SOCCKSARGEN Region. The fund, Bisnon said, should benefit more than 2,500 informal sector workers.

"DOLE Central Office may download additional funds for this, if necessary," she added.

However, TUPAD #BKBK is inaplicable to the following persons: those who have availed of the P5,000 cash assistance through the DOLE COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), those who have received aid through the DSWD Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, and rice farmers who received assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Bisnon clarified.

"We will coordinate with partner agencies, barangays councils and the local government units to ensure that there will be no duplication of assistance," she said.

Bisnon advised interested informal workers to coordinate with their respective barangay councils who will serve DOLE's Accredit Co-Partners in the implementation of TUPAD #BKBK.

Barangays with unliquidated emergency employment fund may still avail of the TUPAD #BKBK but the project will be implemented via direct administration, meaning DOLE 12 will disburse the wages of the beneficiaries through partner money remittance facility, she said. (DED-PIA XII)