BUTUAN CITY – About 115 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) beneficiaries, mostly members of the Manobo and Mamanwa tribes of the Indigenous People/Indigenous Cultural Community (IPs/ICCs) in Caraga region, already received their salaries for their 15 days of work.
These Manobo and Mamanwa tribe members received P5,250 each for their 15 days work.
These TUPAD beneficiaries of Indigenous People/Indigenous Cultural Community (IPs/ICCs) are from Barangays Mahaba, Puting Bato, and Pirada, all of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte province.
Barangay Puting Bato Tribal Leader Bae Leonida Caples Rebollo shared that the financial aid will help not only her but also the members of the IPs/ICCs in defraying their daily expenses in their hinterland areas.
“Dako jud ning tabang sa amo, labi na sa among mga estudyante” (This is a big help to us, especially to our students),” the tribal leader said during the awarding ceremony recently.
Agusan del Norte 2nd District solon Rep. Dale V. Corvera, Cabadbaran City Mayor Judy Chin Amante, Department of Labor and Employment Reg. 13 Assistant Regional Director Raymond Fel F. Sajor and Field Office Head Keith C. Duran and PESO Manager Estilito O. De Vera of Cabadbaran City were present in DOLE’s awarding of salaries event.
Mayor Amante encouraged the beneficiaries to take good care of the assistance given by the government.
As the government wants to bring its services to their doorsteps, the beneficiaries should also partner this with their effort to improve their socio-economic status. The city’s chief executive said.
Mayor Amante’s words of encouragement were supported by Rep. Corvera who shared that the green uniform worn by the beneficiaries reminded him of a traffic light. Like the green light, the beneficiaries should move forward and aim for a better life.
According to DOLE 13 Administrative Assistant 1 and Regional Information Officer Ms. Anya Pernelle B. Sollano, quoting the statement of DOLE 13 Regional Director Atty. Joffrey M. Suyao, expressed his gratitude to the LGUs, especially to the office of Rep. Corvera, Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba and Mayor Amante for their assistance in the implementation of the TUPAD program.
“The success of TUPAD would not be realized without our local officials' cooperation and partnership,” said Ms. Sollano as she quoted the statement of Regional Director Suyao.
On the other hand, DOLE Agusan del Norte Field Office officials also showed appreciation for the cooperation between the beneficiaries and the LGUs.
Ms. Sollano told The Manila Bulletin on Tuesday, Nov. 1, that the DOLE is always ready to provide programs, services, and assistance to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged clients/beneficiaries.
TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.
The following are the types of projects that can be supported with such assistance: (1) Social community projects, such as repair, maintenance, and/or improvement of common public facilities and infrastructure such as schools and health centers, debris clearing, de-clogging of canals, debris segregation and materials recovery, stockpiling and clearing, (2) Economic community projects like repair, maintenance and/or rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, bridges, post-harvest facilities, public markets and common service facilities such as production and display centers, fish ports, and (3) Agro-forestry community projects, such as tree planting, seedling preparation, and reforestation.