Manila, March 26 -- The payout for the first batch of beneficiaries of the government's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in Antique is ongoing, an official said Wednesday.

In an interview, Ma. Cecilia Acebuque, provincial director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said PHP178,024,780 has been allotted for the first batch, consisting of 31,898 beneficiaries.

Of the total amount, PHP164,308,640 is intended for the wages of beneficiaries and PHP13,716140 is for their Personal Protective Equipment and enrollment to the Government Service Insurance System under the Group Personal Accident Insurance for one year.

"DOLE, through TUPAD, is providing them, for 10 days, their emergenc...