CEBU CITY, Cebu, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment in Region 7 (DOLE-7) again implemented the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program for the various local government units (LGU) in Cebu province, in response to the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.

A total of 2,187 workers benefited from the said program.

The beneficiaries are from from 23 LGUs in Cebu province, namely: Sibonga, San Fernando, Minglanilla, Carcar and City of Naga, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Santander, Boljoon, Samboan, Oslob, Barili, Poro, San Francisco, Badian, Dumanjug, Alcantara, Alegria, Moalboal, Malabuyoc, Ronda, and Ginatilan.

The region disbursed a total of P8,835,480 to provide emergency employment to the beneficiaries.

Marjorie Quijado, a worker from Brgy. Can-asujan in Carcar City, thanked  DOLE-7 for the assistance given to her and her family. “Daku kaayo akong pasalamat nga usa ko nga naapil sa programa sa DOLE nga TUPAD kay tungod aning programaha naka trabaho ko ug naka income pang dungag sa galastuhan para sa akong pamilya,” Quijado said.

According to DOLE-7 OIC Chief Vivencio Lagahid, by providing emergency employment to the displaced individuals will at least cater to the basic needs of each beneficiary especially during the aftermath of typhoon Odette and the ongoing effect of the pandemic.

Lagahid said he hopes that the continued support through the programs of the CPFO DOLE-7 will be provided to the LGUs in the province.

The TUPAD beneficiaries worked for a minimum of ten days and maximum of 30 days by engaging in community clean-up drives in the different public places in their respective LGUs. 

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment to displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers depending on the nature of work to be performed.

It is one of the two components of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs. (JSME/PIA7 with reports from DOLE-7)