March 28, 2024

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The municipal government, in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Office of Rep. Maximo Dalog, Jr., held an orientation-seminar for the 186 beneficiaries of DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad) Program at the Municipal Capitol Auditorium on May 24.

Dalog, in his message delivered by Congressional Staff Job Lemuel Kumalao, said the Tupad program that caters to vulnerable and marginalized sectors is one of the government’s commitments in uplifting the lives of the people. 

He assured the continuous partnership of his office with the DOLE and the municipal government in bringing services of the government to the community. 

Municipal Administrator Arthur Leonard Odsey, who represented Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr., thanked the Office of the Congressman and DOLE for their unwavering support and commitment to the community’s betterment. 

He said providing short-term employment to displaced workers, underemployed, and seasonal workers is of big help to sustain their basic needs, especially to the victims of the fire last April 11.

Labor Employment Officer III Jenelyn Caluza said the program is now financed by Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos through the initiative of Dalog, as well as the Ejercito Fund through the Bontoc LGU.

The 150 beneficiaries under the Office of Congressman were given 15 days to work which commenced on May 25 and will receive a fixed income of P6,000 each. 

The LGU’s 136 recipients will be deployed in their respective barangays for 20 days at a wage of P8,000 per person under the supervision of barangay officials.

They will work on environmental projects such as repair, maintenance, and/or upgrading of common public amenities and infrastructures, debris clearing, canal de-clogging, debris segregation and materials recovery, stockpiling, and clearing; community projects such as repair, maintenance, and/or restoration of farm-to-market roads, bridges, and public markets.

They may work under the community agro-forestry operations such as tree planting, seedling preparation, and replanting. – Shannon Althea S. Pagaduan