Manila: More than 767,000 disadvantaged and informal workers across the country were provided immediate income and long-term livelihood support amounting to PHP6.25 billion in the first half of 2026, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino stated that a total of 734,364 workers received temporary employment through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program, with PHP5.55 billion in disbursement. Meanwhile, 33,072 beneficiaries were given livelihood or kabuhayan grants worth PHP707.08 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).
Under the DOLE's TUPAD Tuloy Pasada initiative, 17,068 transport worker-beneficiaries nationwide were assisted with a total disbursement of PHP111.97 million. Additionally, the TUPAD Brigada Eskwela program, in collaboration with the Department of Education to prepare public schools for the new academic year, supported 146,441 beneficiaries through temporary employment with a PHP952.51 million allocation.
The Department further collaborated with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to aid TUPAD beneficiaries in transitioning to more sustainable sources of income. As of the latest update, 3,801 beneficiaries have been referred to TESDA's training and scholarship programs, with 247 workers already completing skills training in various fields such as baking, carpentry, computer literacy, construction, and more.
Moreover, DOLE expanded its partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) through the Bayanihan sa Estero Program and other environmental clean-up initiatives. Currently, 500 workers are employed under the program, while 3,388 additional beneficiaries have been profiled and are scheduled for orientation.
In efforts to combat child labor, the DOLE monitored 51,211 child laborers and profiled 39,819 children to ensure the delivery of appropriate government interventions and support services. The Department also continued conducting information and service caravans with partner agencies to fortify child protection efforts within communities.
For sugar workers, the DOLE processed 685 maternity benefit claims amounting to PHP5.48 million and 424 death benefit claims totaling PHP5.94 million under the Sugar Workers' Maternity and Death Benefits Program, in line with Republic Act No. 6982 or the Social Amelioration Act of 1991.
Furthermore, the DOLE promoted healthier and more productive workplaces through the Family Welfare Program, assisting 381 establishments, encompassing 47,631 workers, in developing and implementing workplace welfare policies that support workers and their families.
