03/09/2026
๐๐ข๐ข๐ ๐น ๐ง๐จ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ ๐ญ๐ฏ๐ฑ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐พ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ-๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐, ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ป
135 parents of students and residents of Barangay Apopong, General Santos City received Php 1.24 million in TUPAD wages as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XII supported the rehabilitation of 45 classrooms at New Society Central Elementary School, which was severely damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the city.
Through 40 days of emergency employment, the beneficiaries helped repair and rehabilitate the schoolโs roofing, ceilings, plumbing systems, restrooms, and other facilities, providing much-needed income to earthquake-displaced workers while helping restore a vital community institution.
The beneficiaries also underwent skill enhancement in rehabilitation and repair work with the support of Barangay Apopong, equipping them with practical skills in areas such as roofing, ceiling installation, plumbing, and other repair works that they can use for future employment and livelihood opportunities beyond their TUPAD engagement.
For DOLE XII Regional Director Imelda F. Gatinao, TUPAD is more than financial assistance, it is a means of rebuilding communities while preserving the dignity of workers.
โTUPAD is an institution-building program to help the school and your children. We are building hope. ๐ท๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ ๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐โ๐ข๐๐. ๐ด๐๐ ๐ก๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐."
RD Gatinao also encouraged the beneficiaries to use their wages to help kick-start economic activity in Barangay Apopong, allowing the assistance to benefit not only their families but the wider community.
New Society Central Elementary School Principal Rosalie O. Pajarillo, EdD, said the school had only 35 usable classrooms immediately after the earthquake. With the rehabilitation efforts, the school now has 45 classrooms ready for use.
โNatulungan na ang school, natulungan pa kayo as displaced workers dahil sa lindol, and we are grateful for that,โ Pajarillo said.
She added that the rehabilitation has enabled the school to resume 100% face-to-face classes, a major milestone in the communityโs recovery.
Barangay Captain Jose Paolo Jude L. Natividad and Mr. Jose Orlando Acharon, who represented City Mayor Lorelei G. Pacquiao, likewise underscored the united efforts of the local government and national government agencies in helping earthquake-affected communities recover and rebuild.
The initiative highlights DOLE XIIโs continuing role in social development through emergency employment that provides income while rebuilding communities and restoring access to essential public services.
It supports Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentinoโs Trabaho Agad initiative, which seeks to bring employment opportunities closer to Filipino workers and communities while helping stimulate local economic activity and recovery.
