107 beneficiaries met the new year with great joy due to the positive impact of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers Program or TUPAD in Abra.

DOLE-Abra Field Office Head Christopher B. Tugadi led the payout to 107 barangay health workers (BHWs) from various municipalities of Abra. These payout activities were held from January 5 to 7, 2022 at DOLE Abra Field Office. The Barangay Health and Wellness Party list (BHW Party list) has allotted Php 417,942.00 for the implementation of TUPAD in the province.

“Thirteen municipalities including Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Danglas, Manabo, Peñarrubia, Pidigan, Sallapadan, San Isidro, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum and Villaviciosa are given financial aid through TUPAD from the BHW Party List”, said Mr. Tugadi.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Joan Alagao expressed that, “Maysa ak a miyembro ti BHW iti Munisipyo mi a Peñarrubia. Ket kayat ko a pagyamanan iti BHW Partylist iti tulong da kanyami, babaen iti TUPAD a programa iti DOLE-Abra. Ket dakkel a tulong daytoy iti pamilya maipanggep iti daytoy pinansyal nga aspeto.” (I am one of the members of BHW in our municipality in Peñarrubia. I am grateful to BHW Partylist for the assistance that they had given to us through the TUPAD program under DOLE-Abra. This kind of assistance helps us and my family especially in the financial aspect.)

Mr. Tugadi emphasized that the TUPAD program is a safety net program that provides temporary wage employment to the workers in the informal sector particularly the unpaid family workers and self-employed workers who were displaced or whose earnings were affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

TUPAD worker-beneficiaries performed social community projects or those which are considered as light work such as sweeping and cleaning, repair, maintenance, and/or improvement of common public facilities for a period of 15 days. Personal protective equipment are provided as an additional measure in ensuring that health and safety protocols are observed during the conduct of work.

In connection with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 10695 and DOLE Memorandum dated December 14, 2021 signed by Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, TUPAD payouts during the election period or from 09 January 2022 up to 08 June 08 2022 shall follow a straightforward sequence to depoliticize the flagship livelihood program in view of the upcoming elections.

 

END//Daryll Ponard with initial report from DOLE-Abra Field Office
Photo credits: DOLE-Abra Field Office