Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – The DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program shall provide emergency employment to 42 displaced and disadvantaged LGBTQIA+ members of Tuguegarao City, putting a focus on giving assistance to a marginalized sector who collectively remains invisible and discriminated against.

The endeavor was realized during an orientation on the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) conducted by the DOLE-Cagayan Field Office in partnership with the Office of Cagayan Vice Governor Melvin K. Vargas, Jr. to potential TUPAD beneficiaries in the aforementioned city last March 1, 2023.

The planned implementation of TUPAD for LGBTQIA+ members incidentally comes with this month’s celebration of Women’s Month with the theme: We for gender equality and inclusive society which swiftly aligns with TUPAD’s goal of providing emergency employment to qualified displaced and/or disadvantaged individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

The DOLE-CFO and the Office of Vice Governor Vargas hopes that by organizing the planned TUPAD intervention for the aforementioned beneficiaries, it can contribute to lessening the stigma against LGBTQIA+ members due to their sexual orientation and preference.

The orientation was attended by DOLE-CFO Provincial Director Grace A. Pomar, DOLE-CFO Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Liezel P. Magno, Consultant of the Office of Vice Governor Vargas, Jr., Mr. Clino P. Mallillin and DOLE-CFO support personnel. ###