DAVAO CITY - Presidential son and Davao City First Congressional District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), rolled out on Tuesday, November 9, cash aid to marginalized and displaced workers affected by the pandemic.

Among the beneficiaries, who received their payout in line with the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), are manicurists, inland resorts workers, caddies, event organizers, photographers, bakers, gas station staff, "kristo", waiters, hotel staff, and janitors.

TUPAD is a community–based package of assistance that offers emergency service for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, not more than 30 days, depending on the nature of work. For this payout, the beneficiaries worked for 15 days.

Those who received cash assistance through the DSWD are solo parents, single motorcycle and tricycle drivers, public utility jeepney drivers, persons with disability (PWD) workers, and indigents. All the beneficiaries are residents of the city, particularly in First Congressional District.

A 29-year-old single dad, Magallen Anter, a resident of Catalunan Grande, said that being a single parent is not easy, especially after he lost his job due to COVID-19 pandemic. He added that he has to take on-call jobs and other side jobs for their living, and to earn for his 3 year old child.

“Isip usa sa informal settlers, kaingon ko lisod ning pandemic, hilabi na tong istrikto pa kaayo kay dili ta makagawas-gawas. Naay trabaho sa barangay pero gamay ra gyud pud ang sweldo usahay kuwangon pa jud. Mao pasalamat kaayo ko na naay sama ani na mga ayuda na maka sapal sa kulang,” 53-year-old Anna Custodio, from Sabroso Village near Coastal Road.

Duterte's office said that thousands of marginalized and/or displaced beneficiaries are yet to receive cash assistance until December this year. There are 7,200 expected beneficiaries for TUPAD and more or less 14,000 beneficiaries for DSWD cash assistance.

Rep. Duterte hopes that a lot of families will be given assistance during these trying times. His office prioritizes assistance to marginalized and/or displaced workers and frontliners in response to the pandemic's public health emergency. He also encouraged people to continually support the government's efforts in alleviating the impact of the pandemic.