SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — More than P1.2 billion in emergency employment assistance was distributed through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in 2024.
TUPAD is a government initiative that provides temporary employment to informal sector workers who have been displaced, underemployed, or affected by calamities.
A total of 259,634 informal sector workers benefited from the program across the Ilocos region’s four provinces, receiving livelihood support to help alleviate economic hardships.
Pangasinan recorded the highest number of beneficiaries at 113,326, followed by La Union with 51,326, Ilocos Norte with 50,358, and Ilocos Sur with 44,624.
TUPAD beneficiaries work for 10 to 30 days, depending on their tasks, and receive wages based on the regional minimum wage.
Starting Nov. 7, 2024, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the Ilocos Region set a minimum wage rate of P468.00 per day for non-agricultural establishments with 10 or more employees, and P435.00 daily for those with fewer than 10 employees, including workers in the agriculture sector.
Beneficiaries help communities by clearing debris after typhoons, repairing public facilities, collecting waste, cleaning drainage systems, repainting buildings, and maintaining schools and barangay halls, among others.
Of the total amount distributed, P1.1 billion was allocated for workers’ wages, P88 million for personal protective equipment, and P15 million for workers’ insurance—underscoring DOLE’s commitment to fair and safe working conditions.
DOLE Region 1 Regional Director Exequiel Ronie Guzman emphasized the program’s impact, stating that TUPAD plays a crucial role in strengthening economic resilience.
“The Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Office 1 has been persistent in implementing the Department’s emergency employment program to aid disadvantaged workers in the region,” he said.
Rizalina Gali, a TUPAD beneficiary from Tubao, La Union, expressed her gratitude for being one of the program’s recipients.
“Tinulungan ak ti programa idi napan a tawen. Sapay koma ta maikonsiderartayo manen iti tulong ita a tawen,” she said.
(The program helped me last year. Hopefully, we will be considered for assistance again this year.)
Applications for the program can be submitted through local government units, specifically to Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), or DOLE regional and provincial offices, which conduct screenings to ensure fair selection.
DOLE personnel and PESO staff conduct periodic monitoring of TUPAD implementation
to ensure compliance of beneficiaries with work requirements.
TUPAD not only provides immediate financial assistance but also helps beneficiaries develop skills for sustainable employment.
Its community projects improve local infrastructure and environmental conditions, supporting long-term development.
With its continued expansion, TUPAD remains a key driver of inclusive economic recovery in the Ilocos Region, not only providing immediate income but also fostering stronger community participation in local development efforts. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
