Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III reminded beneficiaries of government financial assistance in Mindanao to spend wisely amid the pandemic.

In his recent trip to South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (SOCCSKSARGEN) to distribute aid to workers affected by the crisis, Bello also called on the beneficiaries to keep their money safe.

"What you received from the government is your money. Take care of it and use it for the right purposes during these very difficult times," Bello said in one of the payout ceremonies for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in the region.

The Labor chief stressed that the financial support extended by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is an aid given by the state to the people and not a loan to be repaid to the government.

"You don't owe the government – not a single centavo — in taking this financial assistance because it's your money," Bello explained.

Bello made the clarification amid incidents of irregularities in the implementation of TUPAD in other localities.

He was referring to Quezon City where local executives and their cohorts allegedly used the program for personal gains.

"They seem to know a lot of ways to make money from TUPAD. They could even be telling their beneficiaries that it's a loan program that should be paid back," he explained.

DOLE distributed a total P13 million in cash and livelihood assistance in SOCSKSARGEN.

Bello personally handed over a total P1,983,154 to 230 displaced workers and other beneficiaries under the TUPAD and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) in Barangay Morales, Koronadal City.

From Koronadal City, Bello and key DOLE officials went to Banga, South Cotabato where 300 beneficiaries received a total P2,075,070 in cash aid and livelihood package.

Earlier in Dadiangas East Elementary School, General Santos City, Bello handed over a total P2,708,287 cash aid and livelihood assistance to 270 beneficiaries, including nine former rebels under TUPAD, DILP, Tulong Pangkabuhayaan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong PUSO) and Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) of the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA).

During the ceremony, Bello told DOLE regional officers to increase the TUPAD payout to P5,000.

Meanwhile, another 500 beneficiaries from Kidapawan City received DOLE assistance amounting to P6,463,801 which included a brand-new tractor unit.

Bello also brought the government's helping hand to support needy workers in Tantangan Municipality, Koronadal City, Surallah Municipality, Banga Municipality, Saranggani Province, General Santos City, Pikit Municipality, Malang Municipality, Makilala Municipality, and Kidapawan City. (DOLE)

 This free site is ad-supported. Learn more
​