121 indigents in Santa Marcela, Apayao receive temporary employment

Santa Marcela, Apayao – ‘Employment is a better way to help those who want to help themselves,’ says Mayor Evelyn Martinez of Santa Marcela LGU, as 121 TUPAD beneficiaries across the municipality were given orientation on March 18 prior to their deployment.

These qualified beneficiaries belong to indigent families and constitute the first batch of those who shall get cash for work in this first quarter.

During the orientation, Mayor Martinez commended DOLE's high utilization rate of its TUPAD allotted funds. Martinez said this is aligned with the Provincial Government and the Municipal Government’s agenda of inclusive economic growth through massive job generation and poverty reduction.

The mayor also emphasized that although the program provides temporary employment and not a stable source of income, it certainly helps recipient families meet their daily needs.

Apayao Congresswoman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, in her previous speeches, mentioned that her office has been sourcing funds not only for TUPAD initiatives but also for other employment opportunities in the province.

Meanwhile, as part of their employment, workers are tasked with community work in their respective barangays, such as cleaning, disinfection, greening, and tree planting activities.

The "Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD)" is a livelihood assistance program by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that is community-based in nature, aimed at providing emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a minimum of 10 days, but not exceeding 30 days depending on the nature of the work to be performed. Under the program, workers receive corresponding salaries based on the regional minimum wage.