MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA) – Four hundred and eleven (411) disadvantaged or displaced workers in Maramag, Bukidnon, recently received a total of P1.6 million in government salaries through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program

DOLE 10-Bukidnon Field Office Provincial Director Raul Valmores said each beneficiary received P3,900 as payment for their 10-day work.

He said the 411 beneficiaries are from Barangays San Miguel, North Poblacion, South Poblacion, Kuya, Danggawan, Panadtalan, Colambugon, Panalsalan, Dologon, Base Camp, Camp-1, Anahawon, and Bayabason, all in Maramag municipality.

“TUPAD aims to improve the quality of workers’ physical living conditions while contributing to the communities’ welfare, which provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers,” Valmores said.

He explained that TUPAD is being implemented through direct administration or accredited co-partners (ACPs), which refer to the DOLE program partner responsible for directly delivering services to the target beneficiary. They are worker organizations of national government agencies and LGUs, as well as other non-profit people’s organizations and non-profit NGOs that have met DOLE accreditation requirements.

Merlita Barredo, 63, of Barangay San Miguel, a PWD (person with disability) due to poliomyelitis, thanked the government’s Labor and Employment department for enlisting her as a TUPAD beneficiary. She reiterated that, despite the slow pace of her work, she gave it her all to complete the ten-day task.

“Nagpasalamat ko sa DOLE. Dako kayo ni’g tabang nako. Usa ko ka PWD pero naapil gihapon ko sa inyong programa. Bisan galisod ko ug lakaw naningkamot ko nga makaapil. Salamat kaayo. Kaning kwarta ipalit nakog bugas ug sud-an,” she said.

(The Labor Department has been helpful to me. This program helps people like me. It gave me a chance to take part despite my disability. Thank you. I will use the money to buy food)

The DOLE-10 Bukidnon field office led the payout ceremony. Audrey Zubiri, wife of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Maramag Municipal Mayor Jose Joel P. Doromal, San Miguel Punong Barangay Dominico Loja Sr., and barangay program coordinator Generoso Maribao Jr. graced the event. (DOLE-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)