TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Surigao del Sur Field Office released over P50 million to 15,328 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program during the first semester of 2023.
The TUPAD program provides financial assistance and skills development trainings, such as the making of longganisa, puto cheese, and binangkal, as provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
In addition, the Department of Agriculture (DA) provided free vegetable seeds, vermi soil, and technical assistance on vegetable growing to the beneficiaries for their community gardening.
Patrick Niño Villamor, a TUPAD beneficiary, was grateful to DOLE for both the financial assistance and the opportunity to acquire additional skills.
“Salamat kadayaw DOLE sa iyo programa labi na sa mga tao na gapaluyo niini kay grabe ka dako na tabang dili da kun sa pinansyal kun dili sab sa amo mga yahibaw an na bag o na abilidad kay amo isab ini magamit sa pang adlaw-adlaw na panginabuhi. (Thank you so much, DOLE for this program especially to the people behind this, because this greatly helped us, not only in the financial aspect but also on the skills we acquired and we can use this as a source of livelihood),” Villamor said.
The TUPAD program of the Department of Labor and Employment aims not only to provide financial assistance to the vulnerable sector but also to impart skills for their future livelihood undertakings. As TUPAD continues to reach out to those in need, it is hoped that this will provide a positive impact throughout Surigao del Sur.
Meanwhile, the release of salaries to the beneficiaries exemplified the commitment of DOLE, in partnership with different government offices, such as the Office of the First District Representative, Engr. Romeo S. Momo Sr.; Office of the Second District Representative, Johnny T. Pimentel; Office of the Vice President; and senators Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa; and the Sagip partylist. (DOLE-SDS/NGPB, PIA-Surigao del Sur)
