Senator Bong Go expressed support for efforts to provide temporary employment to disadvantaged, underemployed, and displaced workers nationwide.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) rolled out at least 200,000 jobs across the country under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program for Brigada Eskwela.
According to DOLE, the beneficiaries were deployed to schools to assist in activities under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela program as schools prepare for the opening of classes. Workers helped clean school grounds, repair classrooms, and support other preparations to make learning facilities ready for students.
Go said the program reflected the importance of linking livelihood support with community needs, especially for families seeking short-term income while public schools prepare for the return of learners.
“Mahalaga po na mabigyan ng pagkakataong kumita ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga nawalan ng trabaho, kulang ang kita, o nangangailangan ng dagdag na suporta para sa kanilang pamilya,” the veteran legislator said.
“Dapat laging may malasakit sa kapwa.”
“Habang tinutulungan natin ang mga paaralan na maging handa para sa pagbubukas ng klase, natutulungan din natin ang mga manggagawa na magkaroon ng pansamantalang hanapbuhay. Dapat laging may malasakit sa kapwa,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
DOLE said the temporary employment program will run from June until the start of classes and may continue even while classes are ongoing. The agency also said its regional offices have been instructed to supervise the simultaneous implementation of the program nationwide in coordination with DepEd.
Launched in 2009 under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, TUPAD provides emergency and temporary wage employment to marginalized, underemployed, and displaced workers for periods ranging from 10 to 30 days. Beneficiaries are usually assigned to community-based work such as street cleaning, canal declogging, tree planting, repair of public facilities, and other similar tasks, and are paid based on the prevailing regional minimum wage.
The senator said that temporary employment programs should remain responsive to the needs of workers who often bear the heaviest burden during periods of economic hardship.
“Kung may trabaho, may panggastos sa pagkain, pamasahe, gamot, at pangangailangan ng pamilya.”
“Kung may trabaho, may panggastos sa pagkain, pamasahe, gamot, at pangangailangan ng pamilya. Kahit pansamantala, malaking tulong na po ito sa ating mga kababayan,” he stressed.
The development comes as public schools nationwide prepared for the opening of classes, with Brigada Eskwela serving as a community-based effort to help improve school facilities before students return. The deployment of TUPAD beneficiaries connects school preparation work with temporary livelihood assistance for workers who need immediate income support.
Go has also continued pushing for measures aimed at improving wages, livelihood opportunities, and protection for different categories of workers. He co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2534, which proposes a PhP100 daily minimum wage increase nationwide.
Go also filed SBN 420, or the proposed Rural Employment Assistance Program Act, which seeks to provide temporary employment for displaced and seasonal workers.
He also filed SBN 2107, or the proposed Freelance Workers Protection Act, which seeks to strengthen protections for freelance workers by requiring written contracts and providing mechanisms for fair compensation, including provisions for night shift differential and hazard pay under specific conditions.
To protect delivery riders, he filed SBN 1184, or the proposed Food, Grocery and Pharmacy Delivery Services Protection Act, which seeks to promote the rights and welfare of delivery workers.
For government employees, Go is also advocating for SBN 2504, or the proposed Salary Standardization Law 6, which seeks to adjust the compensation of government workers.
He said programs for workers should include both immediate assistance and longer-term livelihood pathways.
“Ang mahalaga po ay mabigyan ng oportunidad ang mga Pilipino na makapaghanapbuhay nang marangal. Kung may kakayahan, may suporta, at may pagkakataon, mas marami po ang makakabangon,” Go concluded.
