Over 92,000 Ilocos Region residents have benefited from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) emergency employment program from January to May this year.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Ilocos Region Assistant Director Honorina Dian-Baga said in a forum Monday that the agency has already disbursed PHP497.6 million for the program.

Under the TUPAD program, workers render 10-day community work, for which they will be paid the daily minimum wage in the region of PHP435.

Depending on the program, they usually do community cleaning and maintenance of public facilities.

Also included in the beneficiaries of the program are persons deprived of liberty, parolees or probationers; exiting members of the conditional cash transfer initiative Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; and surrenderers, former members or supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, Baga said.

Meanwhile, DOLE has also disbursed PHP13.3 million to 1,226 individuals under its Integrated Livelihood Program, which assists marginalized and vulnerable individuals or groups by providing financial assistance for starting, expanding or restoring livelihoods. (PNA)