Manila, Aug. 6 -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has tapped 200 villagers to rehabilitate an abaca farm in Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar under the agency's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.

The program provided PHP2.91 million in wages to workers to support the month-long rehabilitation of the town's abaca industry in July, DOLE's regional office here reported on Thursday.

DOLE said the initiative aims to provide temporary employment and immediate income to disadvantaged workers, while supporting efforts to restore abaca plantations, a major source of livelihood in the town.

The workers participated in the initial rehabilitation of abaca farms, including the planting of young abaca see...