Gov’t to hire TUPAD workers as Kadiwa store personnel
Metro Manila, Philippines - The government is eyeing to hire people involved in an employment program to man Kadiwa stores under the expanding P20 rice program.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma did not say the number of workers to be employed as this needs further discussion between the Department of Agriculture and Department of Labor and Employment.
The Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) is a community-based assistance offering emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed, and seasonal workers. They are paid minimum wage.
“Hindi ganun ka-simple ang computation kasi ang implementasyon ng TUPAD merong guidelines, may minimum days na pwede at maximum days,” Laguesma said in a news conference on Monday, June 16. “Ang minimum days ay 10 days at 90 days ang maximum.”
[Translation: The computation for how many workers will be hired is not a simple computation as there are guidelines in the implementation of TUPAD. The minimum days of work is 10 days while the maximum is 90 days.]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said at least two additional workers are needed per Kadiwa store, and employees for logistics such as drivers and porters.
More P20 rice beneficiaries
Tiu Laurel also said around at least half a million minimum wage earners are target beneficiaries of the P20 rice this year.
Laguesma also said seven labor organizations, comprising 152 members, from Bulacan, Cebu, Tri-City, and Northern Leyte have expressed interest to have a Kadiwa store.
He said the DOLE will provide technical assistance in setting up an enterprise.
Tiu Laurel and Laguesma on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement to strengthen the coordination of their agencies in line with the Kadiwa program.
By 2026, the DA targets 15 million Filipino households as P20 rice beneficiaries. So far, vulnerable sectors are the ones who can buy the subsidized rice in Kadiwa stores.
The DA also signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Carabao Center to integrate 48 Dairy Box outlets, where smallholder dairy farmers and entrepreneurs can sell their products, into the Kadiwa program.
