The Department of Labor and Employment-Baguio Benguet held a series of wage payouts for 3,574 worker-beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) Program in different municipalities of Benguet on Jan. 29.
In partnership with the Office of the Congressman, the DOLE-Cordillera implemented P23 million worth of Tupad projects in various barangays of La Tri-nidad, Itogon, Atok, Tublay, Kabayan, Bokod, Mankayan, Buguias, Sablan, Tuba, Bakun, Kibungan, and Kapangan.
The caravan payout and awarding was led by DOLE-Cordillera Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra, DOLE-Baguio-Benguet Field Office Chief George G. Lubin Jr., Rep. Eric Go Yap, the 13 mayors, Western Union Manager Richard Carillo, and Benguet Tupad Focal Person Caria T. Big-asan, together with barangay officials.
Tupad workers performed activities such as community cleanup, foot path clearing, weeding, hauling of soil, or beautification of tourist activity areas.
The tasks ranged for 15 days or more, depending on the duty they will perform.
The 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 5,000 resident-workers of Baguio City was similarly conducted in December last year.
Lacambra said the Tupad program, an emergency employment assistance, should be used responsibly by the beneficiaries.
DOLE Sec. Bienvenido E. Laguesma previously reminded the implementors the Tupad program should be used not to support any political influence, but as an economic intervention for the needy. – Daryll B. Ponard
