By Gio J. Tanudtanud
THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment-XI will provide a total of P288 million in financial assistance under its integrated livelihood program and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating/Disadvantage/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD).
During the Habi at Kape in Abreeza on April 24, DOLE XI regional director Randolf C. Pensoy said the budget increased from P246-M to P288-M to meet the rising number of beneficiaries.
Based on the agency data, the beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program and TUPAD rose from 39,638 to 46,197.
“We expect that out of those numbers given and those beneficiaries would be cuing or lining for assistance in the whole region of Davao but we only have to facilitate siguro dili tanan ni na numbers nga 46,000,” he said.
As of their latest data, 3,483 DILP beneficiaries will be given support on livelihood ventures totaling P49,406,730.80, while 36,155 TUPAD beneficiaries will receive compensation for their 10- or 15-day community work worth a total of P198,952,631.
The DILP gives livelihood assistance to displaced or disadvantaged individuals and groups affected by El Niño and other calamities. TUPAD provides emergency employment for the displaced, unemployed, or seasonal workers for a minimum of 10 days of work.
Pensoy also added that the target date for the distributions of the financial assistance will be on May 1 as long as beneficiaries have met the requirements and are being evaluated.
“Ang amoang target May 1. Pero pud siya [beneficiary] mu bayad before May 1 basta kay ang importante nga naay kwarta, na profile that they have already worked or they already submitted documents or before or after May 1 pwede na,” he said.
