OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, released a total of P491,400 worth of wages to 126 beneficiaries, January 31, at Al Trade MPC Hall, Aloran, here.

The said beneficiaries were underemployed members of Aloranon Multipurpose Cooperative, Aloran Integrated Cooperative, and Aloran Trade High School Multipurpose Cooperative, whose job is to clean and disinfect community or other public facilities.

Francis Bonite, a 30-year-old drug surrenderee, was overjoyed with the sum he received because his mother now relies on him for medication.

He says that TUPAD is extremely timely because he stopped working as a part-time laborer at a nearby construction site and now only makes P300 per week, which isn't enough to feed their whole family for a week.

DOLE-10 Misamis Occidental Provincial Head Ebba Borbon-Acosta said the TUPAD is a community-based package that offers assistance to displaced/disadvantaged workers to work for a minimum of ten days but not to exceed ninety days.

Acosta also said that the people who get the money will get a daily wage that is equal to the highest minimum wage for a private worker in the area. They will get their full pay without any deductions.

The beneficiaries were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), covered by GSIS group insurance, and project identification cards. (DOLE-10/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)