TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) -- Over 500 marginalized and disadvantaged workers who belong to the Indigenous Peoples’ communities in Peñablanca, Cagayan were granted emergency employment by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 2.   

Through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, DOLE released a total of P2.308 million for the wages of the IP workers in the town.

Regional Director Jesus Elpidio Atal Jr. said the majority of the beneficiaries belong to the Agta tribe, who are vulnerable workers with no permanent livelihood activities. 

Atal explained that TUPAD is an emergency employment program of the government to help displaced or disadvantaged workers, especially those who do not have stable sources of income. 

He added that a worker is only allowed to be employed in the program once a year. However, if affected by natural or human-induced calamities, the individual may become a beneficiary more than once.

“Sana’y gamitin niyo po ang bunga ng inyong pinaghirapan sa loob ng sampung araw bilang tulong sa pamilya niyo at hindi sa bisyo o pagsusugal niyo,” said Atal.

(Hopefully you will use wisely the fruits of your labor for ten days as assistance to your family, not to your vices and gambling activities.)

Peñablanca Vice Mayor Marilyn Taguinod expressed her gratitude to the department for extending assistance to the marginalized barangays in the Lagum area, such as Minanga, Buyun, Nabbabalayan, Manga, and Lapi, all located in the mountainous parts of the municipality. 

Taguinod also acknowledged the vital role of national agencies in the delivery of government services in rural areas. (OTB/PIA Region 2)