DOLE: Keep politics out of TUPAD program

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) clarified on Tuesday that joining political activities such as caravans is not required for beneficiaries to be able to avail the government's emergency employment program.

“We do not condone such activities, especially those requiring the participation of would-be beneficiaries in caravans to be able to avail of assistance under the TUPAD program,” DOLE said in a statement.

“The availment of TUPAD assistance is subject to eligibility of the beneficiaries and compliance with the requirements under the Department Order 219-20. Specifically, the qualified beneficiaries are the workers in the informal sector who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other form of calamities,” it added.

The department issued the statement after Senator Panfilo Lacson claimed some aspirants in the 2022 elections are using the government’s assistance program for the disadvantaged or displaced workers.

Lacson said TUPAD, or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), "is being taken advantage of by some politicians."

The TUPAD program is a community-based package of assistance that will provide temporary wage employment for displaced workers, underemployed, and self-employed workers.

DOLE said it has earlier institutionalized Administrative Order 118-21 or guidelines on the disposition of complaints relative to the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program to examine the merits of complaints, institute appropriate actions, dispose the complaints, and facilitate the filing of appropriate charges to perpetrators based on existing laws and regulations.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued a memorandum last September 17, citing that “TUPAD is a DOLE program and not a congressional district activity.”

“Thus, additional control measures were issued to ensure that the workers will be protected from any form of abuse, including this alleged requirement. We enjoin everyone to be vigilant to curtail these kinds of irregularities,” the labor department added.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News