More than 1,500 residents of Northern Samar received cash assistance from the government

‘Handog ng Pangulo’ event

TACLOBAN CITY—More than 1,500 residents of Northern Samar benefited from the ‘Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Tapat Para sa Lahat’ event, held last Friday, September 13, at the provincial capitol gymnasium.

During the event, 1,393 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Catarman, San Isidro, Pambujan, Allen, Las Navas, Catubig, Rosario, and San Jose received financial aid through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) TUPAD program (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers).

The total assistance distributed under TUPAD amounted to P2.19 million.

In addition, DOLE provided livelihood assistance worth P2.9 million to the local government units of Gamay and Silvino Lubos.

The provincial government, through the Northern Samar Public Employment Service Office (NSPESO) and in coordination with DOLE, also organized a job fair, offering over 1,000 domestic and overseas job opportunities.

A total of 36 job seekers were hired on the spot, with an additional 15 applicants awaiting final evaluation.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed scholarship allowances amounting to P432,000 to 74 scholars.

TESDA also opened enrollment for various skills training programs, providing residents with access to further education.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination with the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), set up Kadiwa stores at the event, selling groceries, agricultural products, and locally processed goods at farm gate and wholesale prices.

DTI also offered loans and facilitated business name registration for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.

Meanwhile, PAO distributed 500 assorted vegetable seed packs and 200 fruit tree seedlings to local farmers.

The Department of Agriculture’s Northern Samar Agricultural Program Coordinating Office also turned over farm inputs and tools to 11 farmers’ associations. Vegetable seeds and informational materials were provided free of charge to farmers interested in expanding their crop production.

Governor Edwin Ongchuan expressed his gratitude to the Office of the President for spearheading the event, likening it to the provincial government’s own Kauswagan Caravan, which similarly aims to bring essential government services closer to the people.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)