BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Cordillera reported that 164,841 displaced workers have already benefited from the Employment Assistance under Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, from a target fund of over P1 billion for the Cordillera region.
Nathaniel Lacambra, regional director of DoLE, said that based on 2021 accomplishment report, a total of P847,621,554.73 fund were downloaded to the agency, of which P840,248,640.72 funds were disbursed to 141,709 beneficiaries of the government's TUPAD program.
Of the fund disbursed, Mountain Province got the biggest share of P242,021,600 for its 35,307 beneficiaries, followed by Abra with P157,367,196.24 for its 26,472 beneficiaries; Benguet P134,443,709.95 for 24,302 beneficiaries; Apayao P74,092,173.63 for 16,746 workers; Ifugao P111,233,412.55 with 16,407 workers; Baguio City P72,548,484.85 with 13,238 workers and Kalinga P48,542,062.51 with 9,237 workers.
In 2022, a total of P309,141,090 fund was downloaded to the agency for the continuation of the program and out of that fund, an amount of P117,557,870.00 was initially disbursed to 23,132 workers in the region.
Data showed that as of May 25,2022, Benguet province had the biggest disbursement of P 80,827,250 for its 15,429 beneficiaries, followed by Baguio City P10,500,000.00 for 2,000 workers; Apayao-P9,891,000 with 1,884 workers; Abra-P8,483,220 with 1,661 workers; Kalinga-P3,126,590 with 823 workers;Ifugao-P2,732,310 with 770 workers and Mt.Province-P1,997,500 with 565 workers.
To date a total of P1,156,762,644.73 was downloaded to the agency and P957,806,510.72 distributed to 164,841 beneficiaries.
According to Lacambra, the program is the government’s assistance to workers who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
He explained that guidelines are being followed to identify the beneficiaries of the program.
Not qualified in the program are barangay officials, barangay health workers, Tanods, 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) members and senior citizens who already get benefits from other government agencies.
Currently the program continues until funding is reached before being replaced by the new administration.