MAMBAJAO, Camiguin (PIA)--The 820 town beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 were paid-out with P2,993,000 worth of total salaries, September 20-23, at the Municipal Hall, here.

DOLE-10 Camiguin Provincial Field Office (Cam PFO) Chief Arlyn Bael said the beneficiaries are the town’s constituents whose source of income were affected by the pandemic, self-employed, underemployed, and seasonal workers. She said their salaries covered payment of services rendered on community services like street sweeping on barangay roads, vegetation control, and disinfection within their area premises to avoid COVID-19 transmission.

Bael said each beneficiary got P3,650 for the 10 days’ work, August 1-10, 2022.

Moreover, farmer-beneficiary Romeo Palmajel of Barangay Magting said he only earned an average of P3,000 monthly income, which also financially supports his senior citizen father was never enough. He said his earned income from TUPAD to a great extent will financially augment their expenses.   

“Ang akong sweldo akong ipalit ug bugas, sud-an ug medisina sa akong papa. Daghang salamat DOLE (From the salary I received, I will buy rice, food, and medicine for my father. Thank you very much DOLE),” Palmajel said.

Bael said the payout is in collaboration with the Local Government of Mambajao thru Mayor Yñigo Jesus D. Romualdo and his Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Atanacio P. Lusdoc, Jr.

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