By Mariela Angella Oladive
A total of 7,000 Iloilo residents received PHP35.9 million in financial assistance through the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program on December 28 at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda facilitated the initiative, providing each beneficiary with PHP5,130 in wages for 10 days of work under the program.
The TUPAD program aims to assist underemployed, self-employed, and displaced workers who have lost income due to unforeseen circumstances.
Former Councilor Love-Love Baronda, former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Doc Von Deveza, Atty. Kesha Pesina Tupas, Pastor Stanley Flores, GM Ariete Ramos, Jun Capulot, Mor Espinosa, Atty. Boots Gerochi, former Councilor Sheen Mabilog, and Bryant Zulueta led the distribution event.
A beneficiary from Jaro expressed gratitude for the assistance, saying, “Thank you for this Christmas blessing through DOLE-TUPAD. Now we have money to prepare for Media Noche. This is a significant help to our family, especially in these challenging times.”
Baronda thanked the beneficiaries for their support and reaffirmed her commitment to their welfare.
“To my beloved fellow Ilonggos, thank you for participating in DOLE-TUPAD. Let us continue striving together to achieve progress in our beloved Iloilo City,” she said.
On the same day, the team distributed rice packs to 30,000 Ilonggos from 180 barangays in Iloilo City as part of the “Team Sulong Gugma Pamaskong Handog para sa Pamilyang Ilonggo” initiative.
The rice distribution was personally funded to help residents prepare for their Media Noche celebrations.
