Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Tuesday spearheaded the distribution of cash and livelihood assistance to beneficiaries under the primary programs and services of the agency here and in Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte.
Beneficiaries under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) and Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program were provided with assistance during the series of distribution activities on Tuesday afternoon.
The beneficiaries under the two programs of the agency were all affected by the continuing threat of the pandemic in the region.
In this city, Bello was joined by Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada and Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Lawrence Fortun.
On the other hand, in Cabadbaran City, he was assisted by Gov. Dale Corvera, Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Maria Angelica Amante-Matba, and Mayor Judy Amante during the distribution activity.
DOLE 13 (Caraga) Director Joffrey Suyao told reporters at the sideline of the event here that a total of 1,158 beneficiaries have already been assisted through the DILP program of the agency as of September this year.
A total of PHP13.3 million worth of assistance have been released to the DILP beneficiaries in the region, he added.
“(Also), a total of 63,364 beneficiaries were assisted through the TUPAD Program of DOLE with a total amount of PHP329 million released during the period,” Suyao said.
Meanwhile, in Cabadbaran City, a total of PHP702,990 cash assistance under the DILP program has been handed over to the Jaliobong Masipag Farmers Association of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte for the group’s organic fertilizer production project.
Bello also awarded PHP995,320 livelihood assistance for the Bangayan Sustainable Livelihood Project to three farmers’ associations and indigenous people (IP) group from Zapanta Valley in Kitcharao that included the Zapanta Mamanwa Manobo Association, the Zapanta Valley Bisaya Organization, and the Zapanta Valley Farmers Association.
A total of 170 beneficiaries from Cabadbaran City and the towns of Tubay and Santiago in Agusan del Norte also received their PHP320 per day benefits for the 15-day work they rendered under the DOLE’s TUPAD program.
Bello also handed over the awards for the regional winners of the 2021 Search for Outstanding Labor-Management Cooperation and Safety Seal to companies in the mining industry in the region.
A total of 10 companies under the manufacturing industry, six companies under the construction industry, and one in the utility industry were recognized during the awarding activity. (PNA)
