TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) -- Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma recently led the payout for 1,237 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage (TUPAD) program in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Each beneficiary received P4,350, totaling P5,380,950 for the 1,237 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Amulung, Enrile, Peñablanca, and Tuguegarao City. 

Laguesma encouraged the beneficiaries to seek long-term assistance as the TUPAD program only provides them temporary support.

“Umasa po kayo na patuloy ang pagtulong ng DOLE sa higit pang nangangailangan. Ang aming direksyon ay mas makalikha pa ng maraming hanapbuhay na pang-matagalan at mas kapaki-pakinabang para sa mga tao (The DOLE will continue to help more people in need. Our direction is to create more long-term and more profitable jobs for people),” Laguesma said.

Laguesma also extended his gratitude to Cagayan Third District Representative Joseph Lara, who expressed his continued support in bridging the delivery of social services to the people of Cagayan.

“Asahan ninyo ang patuloy na pagtulong para sa kaunlarang Cagayan. Hinihikayat ko po kayo na gamitin niyo rin ang mga tulong ng gobyerno sa tamang pamamaraan (Expect continued assistance for the development of Cagayan. I encourage you to also use the government's assistance in the right way),” Lara said. 

Aida Doca Alviar, a beneficiary from Amulung, expressed her gratitude for the grant, which she says shall go a long way towards providing for the needs of this family. 

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa DOLE sa naibigay nilang tulong sa akin na magagamit ko para sa pangangailangan ng aming pamilya at nawa’y mas marami pa kayong taong matulungan sa pamamagitan ng programang ito (I am grateful to DOLE for selecting me as one of the TUPAD beneficiaries. May you help more people through this program),” Alviar said. 

On the other hand, Laguesma and Lara, who had allocated funds amounting to P25 million for the project, led the laying of the cornerstone during the groundbreaking activity for the construction of the DOLE Cagayan Field Office building on Jan. 20 to make its services more accessible to clients.

“Unti-unti ay nagkakaroon na ng katuparan ang pagnanais nating magkaroon ng permanenteng lugar ang ating mga opisina upang mas mabilis tayong mapuntahan ng ating mga kliyente (Little by little, our desire to have a permanent place for our offices is coming true so that our clients can reach us more quickly),” said Laguesma as he thanked the lawmaker for initiating developments that benefit both government employees and clients.

Recognizing the efforts of public servants in the labor and employment sectors, Lara said the construction of the field office building was initiated to bring convenience to the employees and clients of the department.

“We recognize your support for the programs of the national government on social services. At alam naming napakahirap ng inyong trabaho. Kaya kung maganda ang opisina ninyo, mas mai-inspire kayong magtrabaho (And we know your work is very difficult. So if your office is beautiful, you will be more inspired to work),” said Lara.

DOLE Regional Director Jesus Elpidio Atal, Jr., expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to making the initiative possible.

“The establishment of this office is a significant step for the department as it marks our dedication to providing efficient and accessible services to the people of Cagayan. Now that it will be located within the Regional Government Center (RGC), our clients will also be able to save more time and money when they have to visit other government offices as well,” Atal said.

Meanwhile, the DPWH-Cagayan 3rd District Engineering Office will facilitate the construction of the field office, which is targeted to commence in March 2024.

Once completed, the establishment will house over 50 employees of Cagayan Field Office, which has been renting a building for over five years.  (OTB/MDCT/PIA Cagayan)