CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 22, 2026) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Northern Mindanao paid ₱1.56 billion in wages to 87,473 workers in 2025 under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program

TUPAD provided short-term emergency jobs to displaced, disadvantaged, and underemployed workers affected by economic disruptions, calamities, and other crises.

Beneficiaries carried out community-based projects such as environmental cleanup and public-space rehabilitation, helping improve safety, sanitation, and community preparedness.

Perlita, a TUPAD beneficiary, said the program gave her family much-needed income during hard times.

“Lisod kaayo ang among kinabuhi kay mamasurahay ra ko sa Cogon, bisan ginagmay ang kita basta kanunay. Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa TUPAD kay mao na ang pinakadakong tabang nga akong nadawat. Wala gyud koy kaya, busa hinaot nga daghan pa ang matabangan sa DOLE sama nako nga kabos,” she said.

(Life has been hard because I earn only a small income from scrap collection in Cogon. When I received help from DOLE, I felt very blessed. TUPAD has been the biggest help I have received, and I hope DOLE can help more people like me.)

Amina Saicona, another beneficiary from Lanao del Norte under the Project LAWA at BINHI convergence program, said the assistance helped meet her family’s basic needs.

“Ang TUPAD program ng DOLE ay malaking tulong sa aming pamilya dahil construction worker ang aking asawa at wala akong trabaho. Ginamit namin ang natanggap na tulong para sa gatas ng aming mga anak, bigas, at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan, kaya lubos ang aming pagpapasalamat sa programa.”

(The DOLE’s TUPAD program has helped our family a lot. We used the aid to buy food and other essentials, and we are grateful.)

Through coordination with local government units and partner agencies, DOLE Northern Mindanao ensured the efficient rollout of TUPAD projects, prioritizing vulnerable sectors across Northern Mindanao. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)