KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- Soccsksargen Region's Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE XII) opened  Fiscal Year 2022 with a massive payout of over P9 million for beneficiaries of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged (TUPAD) Workers Program in Cotabato Province. 

DOLE XII Regional Director Raymundo Agravante, along w with DOLE-North Cotabato Field Office Provincial Director Marjorie Latoja led the distribution of wages, amounting to P9,350,880, for 2,783 TUPAD beneficiaries in a ceremony at the Cotabato Provincial Gymnasium inside the Capitol compound in  Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City last January 6. 

Also present during the said release of emergency employment assistance were Cotabato 3rd District Congressman Jose Tejada, Governor Nancy Catamco, and other local government officials. 

Beneficiaries who came from different municipalities of Cotabato rendered 10 days community work; each will receive a total wage amounting to P3,360, based on the prevailing minimum wage in Soccsksargen Region. 

In his message, RD Agravante reminded the workers to value the monetary aid they received from the government especially that economic impact of pandemic is still being felt by majority of Filipinos.

"Ang inyong sweldo ay dapat na gamiting pambili ng pangunahing pangangailan sa bahay para sa pamilya," RD Agravante said.

TUPAD is a community-based assitance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers for a minimum of 10 days, but not to exceed 90 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed. (with report from CDGamboa/KPacatang/DOLE XII)