THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allocated P1.2 billion to enhance emergency livelihood programs aimed at supporting vulnerable workers, following the government’s declaration of a national energy emergency prompted by the expanding war in the Middle East.
DOLE Officer-in-Charge Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. said the funding will back initiatives like the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad).
There will be a particular focus on sectors most impacted by soaring fuel costs, especially public transport workers.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who chairs both the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment and the Committee on Public Services, is working with Bitonio to ensure that aid distribution remains transparent, efficient, and free from irregularities.
Tulfo underscored the importance of tightening the guidelines and eligibility requirements for beneficiaries. He expressed concerns over recurring complaints about favor-seeking and possible misuse of funds at the barangay level.
Reports indicated that some village officials may have been taking a cut from the assistance intended for beneficiaries, while others failed to enforce the necessary work conditions stipulated by the program.
Tulfo highlighted alarming reports of beneficiaries allegedly circumventing program requirements — such as community work — by merely pretending to comply for documentation purposes.
To enhance safeguards and improve program outcomes, he suggested that DOLE redesign Tupad activities to focus on more meaningful, community-oriented tasks instead of routine or easily exploited activities.
In response, Bitonio said the department is collaborating closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to roll out “Tupad Tuloy Pasada,” a targeted assistance initiative for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.
While the LTFRB master list includes approximately 1.4 million drivers and operators nationwide, Bitonio clarified that only 50,454 drivers are initially being targeted for the program, pending validation by DOLE’s technical coordinators.
He noted that the program is open to all eligible PUV drivers, as long as they are not beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Tulfo urged DOLE to automatically include all drivers listed in the LTFRB database in the validation process. Doing so would ease the burden of the application process, especially for those facing financial difficulties.
Bitonio agreed, saying that an orientation for drivers is scheduled for April 10.
“DOLE and LTFRB must ensure that guidelines are clear and organized to prevent confusion and disruptions, akin to past issues with subsidy distribution,” Tulfo said.
Beyond the transport sector, DOLE reported that 5,246 farmers and fisherfolk have received P120 million in assistance through the department’s Integrated Livelihood Program, while 37,875 others have benefited from Tupad, totaling P534 million.
The agency also revealed that 1,530 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as recorded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), are receiving support through job fairs and reintegration initiatives in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers. The OFWs may also access Tupad assistance.
Tulfo said he plans to call for a Senate hearing next week to further tackle unemployment issues affecting vulnerable sectors.
