TUPAD PAYOUT. Former governor Francisco Matugas (center, in black shirt) leads the TUPAD payout in Dapa town in Siargao Island on Monday (May 15, 2023). The two-day payout until May 16 benefited 2,600 people in Dapa and General Luna. (Photo courtesy of Cong. Bingo Matugas)
BUTUAN CITY – At least 2,600 residents in Siargao Island stand to benefit from the two-day payout for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program under the Department of Labor and Employment.
In a phone interview Tuesday, Niel Arlan of the office of Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II said 500 beneficiaries from Dapa town and 1,200 from Barangay Catangnan in General Luna town initially received their TUPAD payments in separate payout activities on Monday.
Each beneficiary was paid PHP5,250 for the 15-day work and services they rendered at a rate of PHP350 per day, Arlan said.
A total of PHP2,625,000 payments were released to the beneficiaries from Dapa, and PHP6,300,000 for those in General Luna.
“Today (May 16), an ongoing TUPAD payout is also being facilitated in Dapa town for the separate 900 beneficiaries. We are thankful to former Gov. Francisco Matugas who led the two-day TUPAD payout activities,” Arlan said.
PHP4,725,000 in payments will be received by the 900 beneficiaries in Dapa during Tuesday's payout activity, he added.
At least PHP13,650,000 was allotted for the two-day payout.
AICS beneficiaries
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 13 (Caraga) also conducted a payout activity on Monday for 133 women and senior citizen beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program in Dapa town.
“Each of the 133 beneficiaries received PHP3,000 in financial assistance through AICS. A total of PHP399,000 cash aid were released during the payout activity,” the DSWD-13 said in a statement.
The distribution was led by Dapa Mayor Elizabeth Matugas, DSWD-13 Director Mari-Flor Dollaga said.
“This is by the mandate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, to assure the delivery of social assistance to those in need,” Dollaga said in the statement.
The assistance will help the beneficiaries with their household needs and the senior citizens with their essential maintenance medicine. (PNA)
