Following the government’s declaration of a national energy emergency due to the conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that it has allocated ₱1.2 billion to intensify its programs such as the TUPAD as livelihood assistance for vulnerable workers, including those in the transport sector who have lost income.
To ensure that the aid reaches the rightful beneficiaries on time and in a systematic manner, Senator Raffy Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor & Employment and the Committee on Public Services, immediately coordinated with DOLE Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr.
“Ensure an orderly process, prevent patronage/rigged selection of beneficiaries.”
Tulfo clarified with Bitonio the guidelines and qualifications that DOLE will implement to ensure an orderly process, prevent patronage/rigged selection of beneficiaries which is a common issue in TUPAD distribution, and stop misuse of funds at the barangay level.
According to the legislator, he has received numerous complaints from various residents of barangays where village captains allegedly take a percentage from beneficiaries’ aid and no longer require them to do light works such as sidewalk sweeping or participate in agro-forestry projects despite these being among the requirements for receiving the assistance.
In addition, the lawmaker said he received many reports that some beneficiaries merely take photos while pretending to sweep and then go home.
Because of this, the senator recommended that DOLE implement more meaningful and community-oriented activities for TUPAD beneficiaries.
Bitonio said that DOLE is closely coordinating with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the implementation of TUPAD Tuloy Pasada, a special assistance program aimed at augmenting the income of transport workers while ensuring the continued operation of public transportation.
Tulfo asked whether the approximately 1.4 million drivers/operators listed in the LTFRB masterlist would automatically be included in the program. Bitonio responded that only 50,454 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers are currently targeted beneficiaries under the TUPAD Tuloy Pasada program, and that this list is still being cleansed and validated by DOLE-NCR Technical Coordinators.
Bitonio added that the program is open to all PUV drivers who wish to apply, provided they are not beneficiaries of the 4Ps program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In response, Tulfo proposed that DOLE should be more proactive and automatically cover all drivers in the LTFRB masterlist nationwide, including them in the ongoing validation process, to spare drivers from the burdensome application procedures at regional offices. Bitonio agreed and said that an orientation for drivers is already scheduled on April 10.
“Dapat siguruhin ng DOLE at LTFRB na maaayos nila ang guidelines para maiwasan ang pagkalito at aberya, kagaya ng mga naunang insidente sa distribusyon ng subsidiya,” Tulfo said, to which Bitonio agreed.
“37,875 farmers and fisherfolk have already benefited from TUPAD worth ₱534 million.”
Meanwhile, Bitonio confirmed that 5,246 farmers and fisherfolk have already received assistance under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) amounting to ₱120 million, while 37,875 farmers and fisherfolk have already benefited from TUPAD worth ₱534 million.
For the recorded 1,530 repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Bitonio said job fairs have already been conducted and more will continue to be held nationwide by DOLE, in line with their partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) as part of OFW reintegration programs. In addition, Bitonio said repatriated OFWs may also avail themselves of TUPAD programs.
As Chairman of the Committee on Labor, Tulfo pledged to immediately call for a hearing to better thoroughly and comprehensively address the issue of unemployment among vulnerable workers from various labor sectors as soon as possible.
