DOLE allots P5.3 million for displaced, young workers in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allocated P5.3 million for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Alang sa Displaced/Disadvantaged (TUPAD) workers and the Government Internship Program in Lapu-Lapu City.

Lapu-Lapu City Lone Representative Paz Radaza said a total of 1,046 beneficiaries—758 for TUPAD workers and 288 GIP young workers—from the different barangays in the city have benefitted from DOLE’s cash-for-work program.

“Dako akong kalipay nga daghang Oponganons ang nakabenepisyo aning programa sa TUPAD ug GIP sa DOLE diin nakatabang gayod og dako ning panahon sa pandemya", Radaza said in a statement.

The TUPAD beneficiaries worked for 10 days and earned a minimum daily wage of P404.

The GIP young workers, on the other hand, also received the same compensation but their number of working days will last for three months.

Radaza said she started this program in partnership with DOLE in 2019 when she got elected as congresswoman, adding that more than 50,000 Oponganons both TUPAD and GIP benefited from the program.

On the other hand, Department of Social Welfare and Development has also allocated P489,500 for 112 clients for the medical and burial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.

Radaza urged Oponganons to avail of the different programs and services that she partnered with DSWD as she “puts effort in looking for funds in the national budget to be poured into the agency for the emergency use of the Oponganons.”

“Kanunay gyud nako ni nga gi balik-balik nga kinahanglan mo avail gyud mo sa mga services kay kini inyoha raman sad ni nga mga buwis nga amo lang gibalik diha ninyo", Radaza said.

Meanwhile, DOLE-7 Regional Director Salome Siaton said all approved DOLE’s Abot Kamay at Pagtulong (AKAP) beneficiaries who have yet to claim their financial assistance through money remittance centers shall only be given 10 working days from the issuance of its recent advisory to claim the said assistance.

The advisory issued on October 21, 2021 said that failure  to claim such shall be considered forfeiture of privilege to receive the AKAP financial assistance within the period provided.

However, their approved application shall still be considered for payment, albeit categorized as low priority.

The department has requested the Office of the President for additional AKAP funds to be distributed to onsite and in-country overseas Filipino workers whose applications have already been approved but have remained pending in view of insufficient funds. — KQD (FREEMAN)