ROMBLON — In Romblon, 40 local women are participating in a unique employment and skills training initiative under the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, aiming to foster sustainable livelihoods through handicraft training.
According to Philippines News Agency, these women from Looc are not engaging in the conventional TUPAD tasks like janitorial work or road maintenance. Instead, they have been selected for a 10-day training program in basket weaving and basic handicrafts. This initiative is part of a broader effort to equip them with skills that can lead to long-term employment opportunities.
The training is conducted in collaboration with the local women's cooperative, Kababaihan: Lamang ang May Alam (KaLMA), which translates to "knowledge gives advantage." Participants earn PHP395 daily, the standard minimum wage in the Mimaropa Region, totaling PHP3,950 for the entire training period.
Upon completion of their training on June 13, these women will receive further support to register as a workers association, enabling them to access additional benefits through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program. This includes grants for tools and equipment necessary to produce and market various handicrafts, as outlined by DOLE-Romblon.
The TUPAD program typically provides temporary employment to displaced or underemployed workers, offering them a chance to engage in community-serving projects for 10 to 30 days.