General santos city: Close to 150,000 disadvantaged workers across Soccsksargen were provided emergency employment in 2025 with total funding worth PHP668.88 million, which helped families cope with economic shocks and emergencies while supporting community recovery. In a statement, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 12 reported that 148,343 individuals were given temporary jobs under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, of the total assistance, PHP660.71 million was released as wages, complemented by PHP8.16 million in Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) coverage to ensure beneficiaries' protection while performing community-based work. In response to disasters, DOLE 12 also extended TUPAD assistance to around 9,782 families or 18,659 individuals affected by typhoons and "habagat" (southwest monsoon) that struck various parts of the region during the year.
The affected residents were able to earn income while contributing to community recovery through labor-intensive activities such as cleanup, clearing operations, and rehabilitation of public spaces. It reported that the program likewise prioritized vulnerable and special sectors, reinforcing DOLE's inclusive social protection mandate. Beneficiaries included 488 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who received PHP3.9 million, 121 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members who earned PHP576,200, and 643 former combatants who were provided PHP2.39 million to support their transition to peaceful and productive civilian life.
Officer-in-charge Regional Director Raymond Fel Sajor said TUPAD remains a critical safety net for workers facing sudden loss of income, while also serving as a platform for social development, disaster response, and peacebuilding. The DOLE official said the interventions were implemented in close coordination with local government units and partner stakeholders, enabling swift and targeted delivery of aid at the grassroots level.
