BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Monday, July 31, that more than P50 million has been released to 15,328 beneficiaries in Surigao del Sur of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program in the first semester of 2023.
DOLE-13 (Caraga) Director Joffrey M. Suyao said the release of salaries to TUPAD beneficiaries exemplifies the commitment of the agency in partnership with different government offices such as Surigao del Sur first district Rep. Romeo S. Momo Sr., the provincial government of Surigao del Sur led by Gov. Alexander T. Pimentel, Surigao del Sur second district Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel, the office of the Vice President Sara Duterte, Senators Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and the Sagip party-list.
The TUPAD program provides financial assistance and skills development training such as longganisa, puto cheese, and binangkal making provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The Department of Agriculture has 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, thanked DOLE for 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 it is a great help to us not only in the financial aspect but also on the skills that we were able to acquire as we can use this in our daily living),” Villamor said.