4,400 Toda drivers to get cash aid in Tuguegarao

TRICYCLE drivers in Tuguegarao City started receiving financial assistance on Sunday, April 18, through the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program.

The assistance was worked out by Cagayan Third District Rep. Joseph “Pulsar” Lasam Lara by channeling and assessing the sectors who are severely affected by the pandemic.

“The payout was actually delayed because of the situation. Mayroon po tayong 90 Toda officials na nakatanggap na kasama sa 4,400 na kasama sa transport group,” Lara said.

He added they are doing a sectoral approach where pandemic-hit workers will be assessed.

The representative pointed out their office is already assessing the numbers of legitimate beauticians, barbers and salon workers in the third district.

“Ito po ay para maging fair tayo sa lahat ng sectors. Last batch na po yung sa mga tricycle drivers. Lahat po ay nabigyan na natin. Ngayon ay isunod naman natin ang mga ibang sectors,” Lara explained.

Meanwhile, Prexie Caronan, provincial director of the Cagayan-Batanes field office, said they have already coursed the financial assistance through a money remittance service provider with P5,500 for each of the beneficiaries.

Since December 2020, DoLE and the office of Lara distributed Tupad assistance to more than 17,000 beneficiaries.

Tupad is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed individuals and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.