TACLOBAN CITY — Fifty members of the Mamanwa community in Almeria, Biliran earned temporary income while helping protect forest resources under a joint employment and conservation program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The 31-day Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program mobilized members of the Mamanwa Tribe Association (MTA) and Caucab Forest Savers Association Inc. (CFSAI) for community-based forest management and bamboo planting activities in Barangay Caucab.
The workers carried out maintenance and protection activities involving Individual Plus Trees (IPTs) within the Tres Marias Mountain Range, particularly along the road leading to Sitio Palayan.
The activities were conducted from July 20 to August 31, 2026.
The DENR identifies IPTs as superior and healthy trees that serve as sources of seeds and planting materials for reforestation and future tree-breeding activities.
The joint initiative seeks to address threats to forest resources and improve tree survival while providing temporary employment to residents of upland communities.
Dondon Calinawan, one of the beneficiaries, said the program helped the community meet immediate needs while allowing residents to take part in protecting the environment.
“Malaki po talaga ang naitutulong ng TUPAD sa amin. Maliban sa nakatulong ito para sa aming mga pangangailangan, nagbigay-daan din ito upang makatulong kami sa pag-protekta ng ating kalikasan,” Calinawan said.
The program was implemented by the DOLE Regional Office VIII through its Biliran Field Office in partnership with the DENR Biliran Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office.
The agencies said the collaboration demonstrates how livelihood assistance can be combined with environmental protection, particularly in upland communities whose residents depend on natural resources for their livelihood.
Through the program, beneficiaries received temporary employment while contributing to forest maintenance, protection and rehabilitation efforts in one of Biliran’s important mountain areas.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
