MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)—A total of 7,012 workers in the informal sector benefited from the P25.5 million in emergency employment wages in a month-long payout series from August 1-26, 2022 under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

DOLE-Bukidnon Provincial Field Office Chief Raul Valmores said that the workers for August 2022 came from the province's 13 municipalities. Each beneficiary received a daily wage of P365 for work rendered on economic and agro-forestry community projects and disinfection/sanitation within their respective barangays and municipalities.

Eugenia Sulatan, a beneficiary from Barangay Butong in Quezon town, said “Dako gyud akong pasalamat sa TUPAD program sa DOLE kay nakatabang kaayo sa akong pamilya labi na karon nga ako na lang ang nangita’g panginabuhi-an kay ang akong bana ug ang akong usa ka anak kay nabu-ang. Lisod kaayo among kahimtang karon. Daghang salamat sa tabang DOLE. (I thanked DOLE for its TUPAD program, which helped us get out of misery. We are in a difficult situation now because I’m alone in earning a living. My husband and one of my sons are both mentally ill. But with DOLE’s help, I can now buy food and other needs for our family. Thank you DOLE for the help).”

Sulatan is a senior citizen whose sole source of income, prior to TUPAD, was seasonal farm work. She takes care of her mentally ill husband and son. Her other children contribute financially, but it is insufficient because they are also in need. Her earnings, she claims, are insufficient to pay for the rice and medicines.

Similarly, Mary Joy Daliton, a beneficiary from San Vicente, Sumilao town, described her and her husband's plight after the firm where they worked has been shut down.

“Dako gyud among problema pag-sira sa among gitrabaho-an. Kaming duha sa akong bana ang trabahante busa kami duha ang nawad-an og trabaho. Pero tungod sa TUPAD program sa DOLE, naa na mi’y ikapalit sa inadlaw nga panginahanglan. Mi-gahin pud mi para pangpalit ug uniform ug gamit sa eskwelahan para sa among mga anak. Dako kaayo ang among pasalamat sa DOLE. (Both my husband and I worked for a company. But when it closed down and ceased to operate, we both lost our jobs. However, thanks to the DOLE's TUPAD program, we now have something to buy for our daily needs. We also set aside some amount for the kids' school uniforms and supplies. The Department of Labor has been extremely helpful to us),” she said.

Mary Joy is a mother of four students in elementary and high school. Her husband now works on a contract basis in a company. 

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides displaced workers and underemployed poor with emergency employment for a minimum of 10 days but not to exceed 90 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed. (DOLE-10/PIA 10-Bukidnon)