The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Negros Oriental has granted over PHP 147.3 million in government assistance to 21,494 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, an official said Wednesday.

Raizza Phoebe Rubia, DOLE-Negros Oriental information officer and TUPAD focal, told the Philippine News Agency that the amount of emergency employment assistance was given since January 1.

“Aside from the TUPAD wages, the beneficiaries also received Group Personal Accident Insurance (GPAI) amounting to more than PHP1 million,” Rubia said.

GPAI is offered by the Government Service Insurance System to TUPAD beneficiaries to ensure their safety and protection during their employment or participation in DOLE activities.

Records from the DOLE-Negros Oriental Field Office showed the distribution of the TUPAD beneficiaries across the province, as follows: 12,206 beneficiaries for the 1st district; 6,110, 2nd district; and 3,108, 3rd district.

Each beneficiary is qualified to receive PHP 5,010.00 in wages for 10 days of temporary employment, such as street sweepers or cleaning the canals.

Guihulngan City topped the list of local government units having the most number of beneficiaries at 3,543.

Additionally, under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, 70 sellers/exhibitors also received the same TUPAD assistance for the same period across the province, Rubia said.

She explained the beneficiaries were paid for the duration of the Kadiwa activity and pre- and post-exhibit activities, such as the setting up and dismantling of stalls. (PNA)