SAN LUIS, Agusan del Sur -  Some 120 residents from the Local Government Unit of San Luis, this province, received assistance amounting to P630,000.00 under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga. 

Some 100 beneficiaries from Barangay Mahagsay and another 20 residents from Barangay Sta. Rita, all in San Luis, each received P5,250 as salaries for their 15 days of work rendered.

The two recipient barangays can only be reached by riding a motorcycle with fabricated extension seats made of wood or steel popularly known in the local language as “Habal-Habal.” 

Nearly all beneficiaries belong to one of the most marginalized and vulnerable sectors in the Municipality of San Luis -- the Banwaon tribe. As an isolated area in the province, government services will only be accessible if the residents take a 3–4-hour trip from their respective barangays to the lgu proper, incurring a heavy ₱1,500.00 fare per unit of motorcycle that can only accommodate two to three passengers. 

“Ako si Aga, nagapuyo sa Barangay Mahagsay. Dako akong pasalamat sa TUPAD nga nakaabot sa among lugar bisan sa kalisod sa dalan. Daghang salamat kaayo sa inyong pagtabang labi na kanamo nga lisod ang kahimtang diri sa among barangay. Salamat kaayo mga Sir (I’m Aga, resident of Barangay Mahagsay. I’m thankful for the TUPAD program that has reached our place. Thank you for your help as you have seen the difficulties in our barangay. Thank you so much, Sirs),” translated from Banwaon dialect.

The implementation of TUPAD in the two barangays is in partnership with the Local Government Unit of San Luis through the Public Employment Service Office which profiled and identified the eligible beneficiaries. 

LGU San Luis Public Employment Service Office Manager Marlinita A. Guarin also shared her gratitude for the program.  

The Department of Labor and Employment Agusan del Sur Field Office (DOLE ADSFO) ensures proper coordination with TUPAD partner agencies to ensure effective implementation of the program. 

TUPAD is DOLE’s safety net program that provides temporary wage employment to workers in the informal sector who were displaced or whose earnings were affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural calamities. (JDP,LEO III/ADSFO/PIA-Agusan del Sur)