Over P10M disbursed to 1,167 iKalinga TUPAD beneficiaries

Tabuk City, Kalinga – As a testament to the tireless efforts of the provincial government and its officials to aid those in need, the additional outsourced funding for the TUPAD program continues to benefit displaced workers in Kalinga with the recent disbursement of salaries to over 1,000 beneficiaries of the program.

Kalinga, as reported by the PSA, had a 10 percent poverty rate or 10 out of 100 Kalinga families were still living below the poverty line last year.

To reduce the province’s poverty rate, the PLGU, led by Governor James Edduba, has been very aggressive in requesting funds from national offices and agencies to complement the needs of those listed as "poor" iKalingas.

The efforts of PLGU are without a doubt bearing fruits since some national leaders and offices have already given funds and pledged more support to the social programs in the province.

One of those programs is the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD, wherein a short-term employment scheme will be provided for underemployed workers or considered poor residents.

Said program, as cited by the province’s Information Office, benefited 1,167 iKalingas on Monday, October 30. After working for 20 days, each of them received P8,600 during the distribution of their salaries at the Kalinga Sports Center on said date.

During the event, Governor Edduba stated that the fund used in the program was made possible through the additional funding he outsourced from House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senator Joel Villanueva.

As for the recipients, Edduba reminded them to use their money for its intended purposes, saying, "Do not let this money go to waste. Ensure that you use it to meet your needs and avoid spending it on vices, gambling, or drugs."