According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the projected aid workers for pandemic-hit in Cagayan Province reach more than P1 billion by the end of this year 2021.

Before year-ends, DOLE Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is looking forward to having a total of P1.1 billion in financial assistance from the cash for work aid program, and Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) for workers of the province. Beneficiaries of the cash program and TUPAD is estimated to reach around 198,000 workers. 

Bello said, “We estimated the number to reach more than 198,000 beneficiaries for a sum of more than P1.1 billion in TUPAD funds before the end of the year,”
Since last year at the start of the pandemic,  DOLE has assisted 88,065 workers and disbursed a total of P480 million cash, according to Bello. DOLE allotted P50 million for the Livelihood program allotted for 100 barangays in the Cagayan Valley Region.

 “Our people in the regional and field offices have started orientations among our partner local government units. We target to initiate the distribution of assistance in the last quarter,” Bello said.

 Bello is certain that with the support of the LGUs, more can be accomplished, more people will be helped as well as lead them to a better and brighter future.