Mayor Malannag augments P2M assistance to disadvantaged, displaced workers in Balbalan

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Earlier, Mayor Almar Malannag of Balbalan sought additional assistance for those in the villages in town who have not yet received any aid from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

In response to the mayor’s appeal, the Department of Labor and Employment – Cordillera allocated P2 million in TUPAD funds, which benefitted recipients from barangays Pantikian, Talalang, Balbalasang, and Poblacion.

The amount provided was to augment the P1 million livelihood grants in the form of farm machinery as requested by those in Sitio Bolo of Balantoy, as well as those in Barangay Pantikian, as conveyed by Malannag through the Municipal Information Office. The equipment, said the office, will be turned over to farmer-grantees this summer.

On April 17, Balbalan Public Employment Service Office Manager Lucille Agcaoili, along with the personnel of DOLE – Kalinga, distributed P4,300 each to identified beneficiaries as advance payment for the 10-day community work that they are expected to render.

The recipients are to be deployed for labor works to help with the implementation of government projects that are to be identified by the local councils in their respective area.

As part of the cash-for-work program, beneficiaries were given uniforms bearing the name of the community-based emergency employment program.

Mayor Malannag expressed gratitude to DOLE-Cordillera for granting his request, stressing its significance in providing for the needs of the families of the recipients, especially in these trying times.