TUPAD BEAMS HOPE FOR 65-YEAR-OLD AMBULANT VENDOR IN BATANGAS

For more than three decades, 65-year-old Bella “Nanay Bella” Sulangon of Barangay Abung, San Juan, Batangas has been eagerly roaming around their nearby communities as an ambulant vendor selling various goods.

According to Nanay Bella, the selling of different snacks and vegetables has been their family’s source of income as they strive to survive their daily needs.

“Wala akong maibayad sa pwesto [kaya] ang ginagawa ko na lang ay pauli-uli. Nagsimula po akong [maglako] ay elementary pa ang anak ko,” she narrated.

Given the various challenges their family is facing, especially in finances, Nanay Bella expressed her outpouring of joy after learning about her inclusion in the new set of beneficiaries of the DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) in San Juan, Batangas in coordination with the Office of Senator Lito Lapid.

For Nanay Bella, receiving the salary is not just a one-time benefit but a seed of hope for a brighter future to serve as capital for business.

“Ako’y tuwang tuwa. Ako’y napaiyak sabi ko, salamat sa Panginoon. Salamat sa ginawang kasangkapan. Sa halip na ako ay mangutang ay [ngayon], hindi na ako mangungutang, [gagamitin ko itong] pampuhunan. Ako po’y nagpapasalamat ng walang hanggang pasasalamat. Maraming maraming salamat sa DOLE sa pagtulong sa akin. Malaking tulong ito sa akin talaga,” Ms. Bella added.

65-year-old Bella Sulangon is one of the 169 beneficiaries of the TUPAD program of the DOLE Regional Office IV-A - Batangas Provincial Office. Photo by April Magpantay/DOLE BPO

Director Predelma Tan and Senator Lito Lapid graced the TUPAD Payout with the Local Government of San Juan, Batangas headed by Mayor Ildebrando Salud. Photo by April Magpantay/DOLE BPO

In her message, DOLE-Batangas Director Predelma M. Tan said that the TUPAD program continues to bring more significant changes in the lives of its beneficiaries. As an emergency employment program, it aims to provide an alternative source of income that they can sustainably use by making it as a fund for their start-up business.

The beneficiaries of TUPAD program in San Juan Batangas.

Ms. Salvacion Kalalo, TUPAD Focal Person together with the TUPAD Coordinators also spearheaded the payout.

Each beneficiary received Php 5,200.00 as compensation for their 10-day work. They are also entitled to an accident insurance with a coverage of one year.