EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT. Culasi Mayor Jose Jeffrey Lomugdang (left) receives a check for the implementation of the TUPAD program in the town from Senator Loren Legarda, Congressman Antonio Agapito Legarda, and Department of Labor and Employment 6 (Western Visayas) Director Sixto Rodriguez (2nd to 4th from left) during a ceremony in Pandan town on Thursday (March 14, 2024). PHP180 million in emergency employment and cash aid will benefit nearly 29,000 Antiqueños affected by the El Niño phenomenon. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Nearly 29,000 Antiqueños affected by the El Niño phenomenon stand to benefit from the PHP180 million assistance from the national government.
Seven out of 18 municipalities received aid under the labor department’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program and the social welfare department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) on Thursday.
The 18 towns will each receive PHP5 million for emergency employment and another PHP5 million for assistance to their constituents in crisis situations.
The TUPAD aid will be channeled to 16,200 beneficiaries across the province, and the AICS to 12,288 beneficiaries.
"The government agencies are releasing TUPAD and AICS to help you," Senator Loren Legarda said as she led the ceremonial distribution at the Lieberman Gym in Pandan town.
The initial beneficiaries of the TUPAD program are Pandan, Sebaste, Libertad, Tibiao, Barbaza, Caluya, and Culasi.
Concerned agencies intend to complete the distribution to cover the remaining 11 towns on Saturday.
Local government units submitted their proposals to the office of Legarda, who wanted them to embark on sustainable projects, such as community gardening to ensure food security.
Personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development also conducted the payout of PHP5,000 each to recipients of the AICS.
Data from the Office of Civil Defense showed that as of March 12, El Niño has affected 2,654.88 hectares planted with various crops in Antique, with losses amounting to more than PHP130 million. (PNA)
