TANAUAN, Leyte — Eight barangay chairmen here are being investigated for receiving cash dole outs from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

Engineer Emmanuel de la Cruz, head of the DoLE field office in Leyte, identified the eight village leaders as Nilda Clarecia Redoña of Barangay Baras, Raquel Guiron Gadil of Barangay Cabarasan Guti, Ludivina Ladan of Barangay Cabuynan, Julian Songalia Modesto of Barangay Calogcog, Fred Conde Nirza of Barangay Canramos, Floro Basas Juanitez Jr. of Barangay Guindag-an, Marities Bustillo Salvaña of Barangay Sacme and Domingo Gaduena Tobilla of Barangay Sta. Cruz.

De la Cruz said the barangay leaders received P4,050 each from the DoLE program that aims to provide temporary employment to displaced workers.

De la Cruz also said the eight barangay chairmen returned the total of amount of P44,550 after they were told to return the cash assistance they received during the payout on July 19,2024 at the Sto. Niño Elementary School Gym here.

He said the guidelines were clearly explained to the barangay leaders during the Occupational Safety and Health Orientation held on July 9.

"They should know who are eligible and nonqualified beneficiaries for the program," he said.

However, during the validation and verification process, it was discovered that some of the beneficiaries were barangay officials, based on the list of beneficiaries submitted to the municipality's designated Tupad coordinator, de la Cruz said in his report.