A TOTAL of 2.9 million displaced workers from the formal and informal labor sectors have benefitted from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (Tupad) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said this in an interview with the media after the ceremonial program for the payout of 1,500 Tupad assistance in Candaba, Pampanga on September 1.

He said DOLE already disbursed a total of P12 billion as salaries of the displaced workers, who were hired by the government for temporary employment in exchange for community services.

During his speech, Bello advised beneficiaries to make sure that they will receive the exact amount, if not, they must not take it.

The standard rate for Tupad payout in Central Luzon is P420/day or a total of P4,200 for 10 days.

A total of P6,909,000 was distributed earlier on September 2 to Tupad beneficiaries in Candaba.

Of the said number of beneficiaries, 1,043 were from the Kapampangan area Mandasig, while 457 came from Tagalog-dominated Bahay-Pari.

The event was hosted by the provincial and municipal governments of Pampanga and Candaba, respectively.

Present during the occasion were Governor Dennis Pineda, Mayor Rene Maglanque and Vice Mayor Michael Sagum, among others.