DOLE-Benguet continues with TUPAD financial assistance
By Susan Aro
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Jan. 30(PIA)–The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers continue to provide financial assistance to those in the informal sector affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Initial TUPAD funds for this year amounting to P1.9 million will be provided to beneficiaries in five municipalities. The funds came from the Office of Senator Joel Villanueva coursed through the DOLE, according to Provincial Director Emer Narag.
Beneficiaries under the informal sector which generally in the province are farmers, will be paid daily wages for a short period of time to work on social and economic community projects, agro-forestry community projects among others.
There are 49 individual recipients from the municipalities of Tublay, 100 in Itogon, 30 in Sablan, 52 in Tuba, and 104 in La Trinidad.
They are expected to start their work by February for 15 days each at P350.00 per day for four hours per day as per guidelines.
Profiling of beneficiaries is being done at the barangay level and submitted to the municipal government under the Public Employment Service Office.
The other eight towns are expected to have their TUPAD to be funded under the Office of Benguet Caretaker Congressman Eric Yap.
Last year, DOLE implemented the TUPAD under Bayanihan I and II with a total fund of P126.89 million that benefited 24,978 recipients in all the 13 towns of the province. Funding support came from Office of the Caretaker.
Profiling of beneficiaries is done at the barangay level and submitted to the municipal government under the Public Employment Service Office.
Narag also bared that last year, DOLE funded integrated livelihood projects for those from the informal sector whose incomes were disrupted during the pandemic. Most are farmers who were not able to work in their farms due to the imposition of restrictions.
The funds in the amount of P4.951 million that benefited 539 individuals was coursed through 11 accredited associations;
Farm implements were provided to the associations engaged in short gestation projects, said Narag. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet)
