CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through its Cagayan de Oro Field Office (CDOFO), led by Provincial Director Emmanuel G. Toledo, continues with its TUPAD implementation, where the first among the large batch of payouts was conducted, May 11, 2023, at the Tourism Hall of the Cagayan de Oro City Hall.

The said TUPAD payout, worth P1,713,150 in salaries, benefitted 423 beneficiaries from Barangay Caramen, here.

Toledo said the main objective of DOLE-10 is to ensure that wherever help is needed, the delivery of DOLE programs such as TUPAD shall be of aid to individuals who are in dire need of making ends meet on a daily basis. He also envisions more beneficiaries being given emergency employment as the year goes on.

With the facilitation and assistance of the TUPAD Coordinators, the beneficiaries were able to receive P4,050 each after rendering ten days of service according to the needs of the barangay.

Lyka Vargas, one of the beneficiaries, was able to receive her salary of P4,050 after rendering ten days of service in the barangay LGU. In order to sufficiently support herself, her sister in college, and her 2-year-old child, she had to take up sideline jobs that are seasonal and to no avail without formal employment. With the help of the barangay personnel, she was listed as one of the TUPAD beneficiaries.

With the salary she received, Vargas plans to pay off some debts her parents made in order to purchase rice. She admits that some days her family had to take on more debt in order to put food on the table. She expresses her gratitude towards DOLE-10 through CDOFO for always helping those in need without judgment and hopes that the TUPAD program and other DOLE initiatives will help more Kagay-anons.

The payout was attended by PD Toledo, Sr. LEO Hazel S. Umbal, PESO Manager Kathleen Kate D. Sorilla, and Barangay Administrator Joaquin "Kikang" Uy, with the facilitation and assistance of DOLE-10 CDOFO staff and Public Employment Service Office CDO staff.

The Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) is an emergency employment program component of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program that aims to provide short-term aid to beneficiaries whose employment status is compromised. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)