In a significant boost to the local economy, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program has provided emergency employment to 48,056 individuals in Negros Oriental this year. The initiative, managed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), has been pivotal in offering temporary jobs to those in need.
At the Macias Sports Center in Dumaguete City, beneficiaries gathered to collect their salaries, a scene captured in a photo provided by DOLE-Negros Oriental. Raizza Phoebe Rubia, the information officer for DOLE-Negros Oriental, announced that as of November 18, 2024, over PHP272 million had been disbursed to the workers.
Furthermore, an additional PHP55.9 million has been earmarked for the fourth quarter of 2024, although the exact number of beneficiaries for this new allocation remains uncertain. Rubia explained that the selection of TUPAD workers is handled by local government units and congressional district representatives, which affects the final count.
The duration of employment under TUPAD varies, with assignments ranging from 10 to 15 days. As of the most recent update, 8,404 beneficiaries have received payouts from the fourth-quarter allocation.
The TUPAD program is designed to assist displaced, disadvantaged, and marginalized individuals by providing them with short-term jobs such as street sweeping and canal cleaning, helping them earn a living during tough times.