Benguet – The Department of Labor and Employment – Baguio Benguet Field Office held a series of wage payouts for 3,574 worker-beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD Program at different municipalities of Benguet on January 29, 2024.
In partnership with the office of the Congressional District, the DOLE – Cordillera Administrative Region implemented PHP 23M-worth of TUPAD projects in various barangays of La Trinidad, Itogon, Atok, Tublay, Kabayan, Bokod, Mankayan, Buguias, Sablan, Tuba, Bakun, Kibungan, and Kapangan.
The caravan payout and awarding was led by DOLE Cordillera Regional Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra, CESO III, DOLE – Baguio – Benguet Field Office Chief George Jr. G. Lubin, Congressman Eric Go Yap, mayors of all the Thirteen Municipalities of Benguet, Western Union Manager Richard Carillo, and Benguet TUPAD Focal Person Ms. Caria T. Big-asan, together with BLGU Officials and other support staff.
TUPAD workers performed activities such as community cleanup, footpath clearing, weeding, hauling of soil, or beautification of tourist activity areas. The tasks ranged for a period of 15 days or more, depending on the duty they will perform.
The workers were given their personal protective equipment (PPE) including a TUPAD shirt, gloves, and cap. The total budget allocated included health insurance for the workers in case the beneficiaries encounter any injury or accident while working.
A TUPAD payout caravan for the wages of more than five-thousand resident-workers of Baguio City was similarly conducted over a few days in mid-December.
Regional Director Lacambra stressed that the TUPAD program, being an emergency employment assistance, should be used responsibly by the beneficiaries.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma previously reminded the implementors that the TUPAD program should be used not to support any political influence, but as an economic intervention for the needy. By Daryll B. Ponard
