At least 500 farmers assisted by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Bicol have been included and provided with additional livelihood through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD, a program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In an interview on Wednesday, NIA-Bicol spokesperson Ma. Cleofe Baraera said the initiative is part of the convergence program of the NIA with other national government agencies.

“Through this program, we look for interventions that can be done to assist our irrigators’ associations (IAs) in the six provinces to at least provide additional income,” Baraera said.

The beneficiaries will render 10 days of work in their community, particularly cleaning of canals and cleanliness in their barangay, for which they will receive PHP3,950.

Baraera added that ongoing coordination with various IAs from other provinces was conducted for the same livelihood assistance.

The farmer-beneficiaries from Albay are members of seven IAs who were briefed about the TUPAD program, its benefits, and their responsibilities. (PNA)