Cebu City government resumes giving out TAPAT pays

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City government has finally started giving out last year’s compensation to beneficiaries of the Tabang Alang sa Panginabuhian sa atong Trabahante (TAPAT) program of the city.

There are over 18,000 individuals that availed of this program last year with close to 1,000 of them finally receiving their due in the amount of P4,000 each.

Those who have already received their compensation include some residents of Adlaon, Apas, Banilad, Binaliw, Busay, Camputhaw, Day-as, Guadalupe, Guba, Hipodromo, Kasambagan, Mambaling, Pahina Central, Paril, Pit-os, Sinsin, Sirao, T. Padilla, and Tejero.

According to Ian Hassamal, head of the Barangay Affairs Office (BAO), TAPAT recipients worked for eight hours per day for 10 days as street cleaners and part of the information dissemination team in the barangays for COVID-19 vaccination.

During the distribution of salary, Vice Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros thanked everyone for the understanding in the delay as there have been some problems concerning their files due to Typhoon Odette.

Along with this, Hontiveros hopes that the amount the beneficiaries received will be used wisely.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama thanked Hontiveros and the rest of the City Council for approving the budget allocation for the TAPAT program.

“Ang politika uwahi lang osa. Maong palihug sabta ko ninyo, dili ko bag-o ining katungdana….Give me your trust and I’ll give you leadership. A leadership with political will and I’m willing to be imprisoned just to preserve public service above self,” said Rama.

After the TAPAT beneficiaries, the city government is also preparing to give out separate cash assistance to around 11,000 affected farmers in the city due to Typhoon Odette. — GMR (FREEMAN)