The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Pampanga, released ₱11,295,000 for the 2,259 beneficiaries under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program on Tuesday, May 21.
According to Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Francis Tolentino funded the program to help displaced workers in the province.
“Kaya malaking bagay po na nakasuporta ang presidente at mga senador natin sa atin. Dahil bukod po rito, naglalaan din sila ng pondo para tulungan ang mga may sakit,” said Gov. Delta.
Along with some local officials, the governor personally disbursed wages of ₱5,000 each to the said workers during payout events held and facilitated by the Pampanga Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in the towns of Floridablanca and San Simon.
TUPAD is a program 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 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.”
“Para madali silang makabangon, ito ang alalay ng gobyerno—ang TUPAD. Dito, binibigyan sila ng kaunting pagkakakitaan na pwede nilang magamit, for example, sa pagnenegosyo,” said Luningning Vergara, PESO manager.
Roderico Carlos, a resident of San Simon, expressed his gratitude for the continuous efforts of the provincial government in improving the lives of marginalized individuals.
“Dati po akong construction worker, ngayon po na wala na akong trabaho, napakalaking tulong po nito sa pamilya ko para maka-survive. Kaya kay Gov. Delta at sa lahat ng nanunungkulan, maraming maraming salamat po,” he said.
Carlos is among the thousands of workers who benefitted from the program.
