Cong. Edgar Chatto and Panglao Mayor Nila Montero during program completion and wage distribution for TUPAD in Panglao last Friday. (Inset) Ceremonial Distribution of wages in Cortes with Mayor Lynn Iven Lim.

Workers of the informal sector in the first district who lost their jobs/livelihood benefitted from the temporary employment program initiated by Cong. Edgar Chatto.

Chatto facilitated the employment of the workers under the TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The program in coordination with Local Government Units employed informal sector workers across the first district. They were identified by LGUs under the Public Employment Service Office.

The workers – tricycle drivers, habal-habal drivers, members of people’s organizations whose livelihood were in industries hard hit by the COVID19 crisis – delved in cleaning and disinfection work in their houses and barangays. They worked for a period of 4 hours daily in a span of 10 days and were paid Php404 a day.

In Panglao last Friday, Chatto turned over wages for the workers comprising members of the New Bohol Airport Neighborhood Association (NBANA) and habal-habal drivers.

NBANA members are residents of the resettlement community of the Bohol Panglao International Airport. When Chatto was governor, he made sure to address social impacts of the airport construction including the displacement of some residents. He established a resettlement community, built their homes, and a livelihood center where women were also trained in various income generating activities all related to industries in Panglao including tourism, that is most hard hit by the COVID crisis.

Chatto also made the rounds of distribution of wages for workers who completed the 10-day program. He was joined in activities by respective mayors, PESO managers, DOLE-Bohol officials, Congressional Office Chief of Staff Atty. Abel Damalerio, and program coordinator Kenny June Requeron.

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers for a minimum period of 10 days for social community, economic community, or agro-forestry community projects.