Davao City – The Department of Labor and Employment in the Davao Region (DOLE-11) has distributed over PHP 3.5 billion in assistance to 591,107 disadvantaged and displaced workers through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program since 2022, a top official reported on Tuesday.
According to the Philippines News Agency, during the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum, DOLE-11 Assistant Director Jason Balais outlined the scope of the TUPAD program. He explained that the funds were disbursed over a span beginning in 2022 and continuing through the first half of 2024, under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Balais noted, “The disbursement covers the whole of 2022 and the first half of 2024, with two years of implementation under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.”
The TUPAD program is designed as a community-based package of assistance providing a safety net through temporary wage employment for workers aged 18 and above. Balais expressed optimism about the continuation of the TUPAD assistance into the next year but mentioned that the projections for 2025 would depend on various factors, including potential calamities which might influence national government funding allocations to address worker displacement.
In addition to TUPAD, Balais highlighted other key initiatives such as the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), which has provided PHP 1 million in assistance to 15,966 beneficiaries since 2022. This program supports livelihood projects that align with beneficiaries’ skills and promotes sustainable income opportunities. The Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) also played a crucial role, supporting 12,339 students by providing them with work experience in private and public establishments to help fund their education.
Balais remarked, “The program not only assists students financially but also helps our local businesses by providing temporary labor.” Moreover, the Government Internship Program (GIP) has empowered nearly 11,000 young people by offering internships in government offices, helping them develop vital skills and contribute to public service.