Over 17K Surigao Norte residents benefit from DOLE
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Over 17,000 beneficiaries in Surigao del Norte received a total of P87.2 million in aid during the first half of 2025 from the provincial office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Surigao del Norte.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable workers, the DOLE reached out to over 17,000 workers and families in Surigao del Norte through its flagship programs in the first half of 2025.
Under the leadership of Regional Director Jason P. Balais, DOLE Caraga shared that DOLE-Surigao del Norte extended P87.2 million in assistance across the province, which is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to empower the workforce and combat poverty through employment opportunities and livelihood support.
It also reported that approximately P75.8 million in wages was distributed under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program to 16,844 disadvantaged workers who received temporary community-based jobs such as coastal cleanup, street maintenance, and waste collection. Each worker received P4,350, which is the prevailing minimum wage in the Caraga region.
Calixtro, one of the beneficiaries of DOLE’s program on TUPAD, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and initial boost to their economic lives, coupled with a call for more comprehensive and sustained support to ensure their projects remain viable in the long run. “Thank you, DOLE, for allowing me to work and earn income under the TUPAD. My salary helped me meet the basic needs of my family.”
Meanwhile, 395 beneficiaries obtained P11.48 million in grants through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), which they described as ‘life-changing’ support. Through the DILP, the beneficiaries were able to establish small-scale enterprises and community-based livelihood projects designed for long-term sustainability.
The programs on TUPAD and DILP are part of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) which provides livelihood and emergency employment assistance to marginalized and vulnerable sectors nationwide. This offers skills training, emergency work for 10-30 days, and grants to start or expand businesses.
Bringing these livelihood and employment opportunities to the province of Surigao del Norte is a testament to DOLE’s inclusive efforts to ensure that assistance directly benefits Filipino workers and their families. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DOLE-SDN)
