MMDA: No shortcuts in Tupad – flood mitigation program

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) will ensure that the beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program tapped for flood mitigation efforts will effectively carry out their tasks, MMDA chairperson Don Artes said on Wednesday.

The MMDA has tapped 10,000 beneficiaries of Tupad under the program of Dole to help clean waterways and creeks in Metro Manila amid the start of the rainy season.

This program provides job opportunities to beneficiaries who receive daily minimum wage while working for a certain period of time.

READ: MMDA taps 10,000 Tupad workers for flood mitigation efforts

“We will be strict in implementing the program because like what we said, we will ensure that they will not just take pictures and go home or have 10 workers clean one leaf. It is not like that,” Artes said in Filipino.

MMDA and Dole on Wednesday formally signed a memorandum of agreement to expand the implementation of the flood mitigation efforts through the Tupad program.

The Dole said that 500 beneficiaries will be deployed on the same day while the MMDA will provide orientation sessions for efficient waste management and segregation. 

READ: Dole approves ‘historic’ P85 wage hike for NCR workers

Artes said that the beneficiaries will be assigned in critical areas across Metro Manila. 

The labor department also said that it is teaming up with local government units in profiling 3,600 beneficiaries for the assignment. 

“I am confident that the massive clean-up drive and Bayanihan sa Estero program under the Tupad [program] will be a big help to the community,” Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said./gsg