Financial Aid Reaches Cebu Workers Displaced by September Quake
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 7 has provided crucial financial assistance to workers whose livelihoods were shattered by a powerful earthquake. On November 15, 2025, a total of 1,173 affected workers from Cebu's 4th District received their wages under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program at the Bogo City Sports Complex.
Targeted Assistance for Ongoing Displacement
The payout, managed by the DOLE Cebu Provincial Field Office (CPFO), was specifically for employees from companies and establishments that remain non-operational due to structural damage from the 6.9-magnitude tremor on September 30, 2025. The program is designed as a direct response to the continued halt in their income. In a significant detail, DOLE clarified that workers from businesses that have already resumed operations are no longer eligible for TUPAD support, as the program exclusively targets those who are still displaced and disadvantaged.
For those who continue to be out of work, there is more help on the horizon. Qualified beneficiaries can continue to receive TUPAD wages until December 2025, offering a vital financial lifeline as repair and recovery efforts in the area persist. Some workers have already begun receiving their second payout, underscoring the prolonged nature of the disruption caused by the quake.
Unified Government Support for Community Recovery
The event was marked by a strong show of solidarity from local government officials. In attendance were Hon. Sun Shimura, Congressman of Cebu’s 4th District, a representative of Bogo City Mayor Hon. Maria Cielo A. Martinez, and San Remigio Mayor Hon. Mariano Martinez. Their presence highlighted the active collaboration between DOLE and the Local Government Units (LGUs) in ensuring that timely and appropriate aid reaches the people most affected by the disaster.
This initiative is a clear demonstration of the government's sustained commitment to helping communities get back on their feet. By providing this essential income support, DOLE is aiding families in sustaining their livelihoods while the broader recovery efforts in the affected areas of Cebu continue.
