CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday distributed PHP2,299,500 worth of cash aid to 630 recipients of the agency's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad) program in Misamis Oriental province. Undersecretary Renato L. Ebarle personally handed out the assistance to the recipient-workers who were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the area. "This money that you received here, you should use it for (the welfare of) your family," he said. While in the province, Ebarle extended cash aid to 318 beneficiaries at the Balingoan Central School, Misamis Oriental, who come from the municipal governments of Balingoan(80 beneficiaries), Kinoguitan (80), Medina (79), and Talisayan (79). He then proceeded to the Salay municipal gymnasium for the payout of another 312 beneficiaries from the towns of Salay, with 80 beneficiaries, Sugbongcogon (72), Lagonglong (80), and Binuangan (80). DOLE Region 10 Director Albert E. Gutib said all the beneficiaries received PHP3,650 each, which served as payment for their 10-day work on social community services like road cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation of local government unit areas. DOLE's Tupad is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed. In September this year, DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello III personally handed out to 1,278 beneficiaries in Misamis Oriental a total of PHP1,887,000 worth of livelihood assistance, including 50 "negosyo karts" during simple rites at the capitol grounds of the province. Student beneficiary Apart from Tupad, the agency also has a program for the children of workers under the Workers Organization Development Program's Isabelo Delos Reyes (WODP-IDR) Scholarship, for the continuation of their college education. One of the beneficiaries is 23-year-old Jackie Ann S. Sagabal from Claveria town, Misamis Oriental, who recently graduated with a degree ofBachelor of Science in Environmental Engineeringfrom the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines - Claveria Campus. "WODP taught me to persevere and be optimistic in life which I believe will help me as I enter the world of work," she said. Her journey as a student was never easy, especiallysince she had to payfor rentat her boarding house and budget her money for school expenses and personal needs. She expressed gratitudefor the scholarship she was given. DOLE Provincial Field Office Chief Errol A. Natividad said Sagabal's mother, Gemma Salcedo was a member of the Agrotech Workers Association, which made her qualify for the program. (PNA) }