TULUNAN, North Cotabato (PIA) -- A total of 185 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program in Tulunan town recently received financial assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Marcosa Quiñonero, public employment service officer-designate of Tulunan said the beneficiaries were given P5,000 each. These beneficiaries are residents of Barangays Tuburan, Popoyon, Magbok, Lampagang, G. Baynosa, F. Cajelo, Bituan, Bacong, Damawato, Batang, and Banayal.

Quiñonero said the 185 individuals belong to the first batch of beneficiaries out of the 1,000 total recipients of the cash aid.

The distribution of cash aid was realized after Governor Nancy Catamco requested for fund to help displaced workers in the province. DOLE secretary Silvestre Bello III approved the request and allotted P10 million for the beneficiaries. Of the said fund, P5 million was allocated for Tulunan town alone.

Catamco emphasized that her administration is doing its best to ensure that sustainable programs are implemented to help residents, especially those effected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The governor also said that the aid does not only aim to help beneficiaries but also to empower them as productive individuals. (With reports from PGO-IDCD)