LAGAWE, Ifugao(PIA) - - More than four hundred beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) received their wages recently.

Personnel of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) satellite office in the province facilitated the pay-out of 408 members of irrigators associations in the municipalities of Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, and Mayoyao in various dates.

 NIA – Ifugao TUPAD coordinator Dino Karl Inhumang said  the beneficiaries  worked for ten days with a daily wage of P430.00.  The works were focused on canal clearing and manual desilting of irrigation canals,  and embankment of the Hapid Irrigation System  and other communal irrigation systems.

Macario Argueza of Lawig, Lamut lauded the government for considering irrigators as TUPAD beneficiaries.  They get paid while making irrigation services better.   

“We worked  along the irrigation canals and it’s a success because it increased the flow of water for our rice fields. The money we received is a great help, and will address some needs of our families,” Argueza  said.

 Thelma Dih-at said she will use the money to buy some agricultural supplies for her rice field this cropping period.

 Lamut Mayor Victomar Bunnol enjoined the beneficiaries to value whatever assistance provided by the government, and  ensure to serve the purpose.

The TUPAD program is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed workers, and seasonal workers for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed 90 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed. (JDP/MBL-PIA CAR, Ifugao)