More than 2,000 displaced residents from Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, have been identified as beneficiaries of the government’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

Edna Lhou Masicampo, Canlaon City’s information officer-designate, announced on Thursday that these internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been staying either in evacuation centers or with relatives since the Dec. 9 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.

“A total of 2,150 displaced individuals are eligible for TUPAD assistance. The first batch, consisting of 1,445 evacuees currently housed in evacuation centers, already attended an orientation last Tuesday,” Masicampo said.

The remaining beneficiaries —those who were also relocated from the six-kilometer permanent danger zone and are staying with family members— will undergo orientation soon, she added.

TUPAD, a government initiative, provides temporary livelihood opportunities to disadvantaged and disaster-displaced individuals.

Under the program, IDPs will be employed for 10 days, earning PHP501 per day, performing tasks such as cleaning evacuation centers and community gardening. Their work is set to begin in February.

The Canlaon City government has partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to implement TUPAD, aiming to provide financial relief to evacuees affected by the volcanic eruption.

As of Jan. 29, a total of 1,198 families or 3,850 individuals remain in eight evacuation centers, while 899 families or 2,884 individuals are staying with relatives outside the danger zone. (PNA)