KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- At least 3,160 disadvantaged workers in Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces recently received emergency employment aid from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XII). 

In separate events,  DOLE XII, in cooperation with partner local government units, recently facilitated the payout of more than P10.2 million to beneficiaries who were given emergency work through DOLE's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program 

Of the 3,160 beneficiaries 1,390 are residents of the 1st Congressional District of Sultan Kudarat, particularly Lebak and Kalamansig municipalities. The remaining 1,770 TUPAD recipients are from Matalam in Cotabato Province.

Each beneficiary received  total wage of P3,360 as compensation for 10-day social community works involving clean and green projects in their respective localities.

Phel Saligedan, 57 years old and a tricycle driver from Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, said that he will use the assistance provided to buy his maintenance medicines and will strive to start a small business out of the aid. 

Meanwhile, Angelina Asuna, a beneficiary from Matalam said, “Hindi talaga kalakihang halaga pero sa panahon ngayon sa sobrang hirap ng buhay at krisis, malaking tulong na sa pangangailangan ng pamilya and sweldo mula sa TUPAD.”

In his message to the beneficiaries, DOLE XII regional director Raymundo Agravante promised DOLE will continue to provide aid especially those affected by the pandemic. 

“The Department continues to reach out to our vulnerable workers this pandemic, and with the exemption on the election ban, we work to accomplish more in providing assistance to workers even during this period,” Director Agravante said. 

TUPAD program is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for the displaced, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed 90 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

It is one of the flagship programs of DOLE that has been granted exemption from the ban on the provision of Section 261(g) of the Omnibus Election Code. (with report from DOLE XII)