Caraga TUPAD beneficiaries receive cash assistance
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY -- Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, significant programs and services continue to pour in the Caraga region through the concerted efforts of the different government agencies.
This includes the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program, wherein more than 1000 beneficiaries from Butuan City and Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte received the livelihood cash assistance.
Mary Jaen Laon, a ‘balot’ vendor from Butuan City, was one of the beneficiaries who received P4,800 cash assistance from DOLE that could help her sustain her small business.
“I’m really happy to be included among the beneficiaries under the TUPAD program of DOLE. I will use this to fund my small business and for my family’s daily expenses,” said Laon.
A number of students from various Colleges and State Universities in the region had also received a check amounting to P10,000 each as scholarship cash grant, which were personally handed-over to them by DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello, together with other local officials in Butuan City.
“This is really a big help for us students who could now pay our tuition fees. Thank you very much to DOLE for this assistance,” said Christian Hermoso, a student-beneficiary.
Secretary Bello urged all the beneficiaries to use the cash aid wisely considering that the country still faces a health crisis.
Meanwhile, in time with the release of the TUPAD benefits, DOLE Caraga also awarded the safety seal to several private companies, including the winners of the 2021 Search for Outstanding Labor Management Cooperation. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
