Nearly two weeks after Super Typhoon #UwanPH battered parts of Pangasinan, many classrooms in Binmaley and nearby towns remain unusable as thick layers of sand still cover school grounds and storm surge debris continues to block learning spaces.

At one day care center, staff struggled to clear sand that poured in during the storm. Several classrooms in another school also remain closed as cleanup efforts drag on.

To speed up rehabilitation, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is mobilizing beneficiaries of its emergency employment program, TUPAD, to help affected schools.

“I-coordinate natin sa DPWH na for rehab ay magamit ang ating mga TUPAD beneficiaries. Makatulong sila sa paglilinis lalo ng mga eskwela—kawawa naman kasi ang mga students natin,” Ezequiel Ronnie Guzman, DOLE Region 1 director, said.

DOLE has allocated ₱141 million for TUPAD beneficiaries in Region 1, with more than ₱40 million earmarked for Pangasinan alone. The agency said it will ensure that workers assigned under the program can provide direct assistance in cleaning and restoring schools damaged by the typhoon.

Teachers welcomed the support, saying additional manpower will speed up rehabilitation significantly.

“Mas okay po para may kasama kaming maglilinis dito,” Catherine Perez, a teacher at Juan P. Guadiz Elementary School in Dagupan City, said.

DOLE said funds for the beneficiaries are ready, and payout schedules for cash assistance will be released soon.