At least 4,026 residents in this province have benefited from the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE-Pampanga head Arlene Tolentino on Tuesday said their agency has so far distributed around PHP18.9 million in wages to program beneficiaries in Pampanga who rendered 10-day community services including declogging of canals, debris clearing, segregation and cleaning operations.

Tolentino said the beneficiaries were farmers, fisher folks, vendors, laborers and other underemployed workers, who each received PHP4,500.

She said the Labor department will continue to implement the cash-for-work program so that more residents could benefit from it.

Governor Dennis Pineda thanked the DOLE for the assistance extended to his constituents.

“Ito pong programang ito ay naisakatuparan sa tulong ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Layon po nito na makapagbigay ng tulong sa ating mga cabalen (This program was implemented through the help of President Bongbong Marcos. The objective of the program is to help our cabalens),” Pineda said during the payout held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center on Monday.

The governor asked program beneficiaries not to share the wages they received with people posing as TUPAD coordinators.

“Lilinawin ko lang po, ito pong perang natanggap ninyo ay inyo lamang. Kung mayroon mang manghihingi ng porsyento sa inyo, huwag na huwag po kayong magbibigay (I want to make it clear. The money that you received is only yours. If there is someone asking for percentage, do not give),” he added. (PNA)