Manila: A Senate hearing will be called by Senator Raffy Tulfo to review the implementation of the government's emergency employment program as concerns over alleged irregularities and limited coverage continue to surface.
According to Philippines News Agency, the senator announced that he would convene a hearing next week to examine the rollout of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, particularly its special component for transport workers under the 'TUPAD Tuloy Pasada' initiative.
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment, expressed concerns regarding complaints of misuse and irregular distribution of aid at the barangay level. Allegations have surfaced that some beneficiaries do not perform the required community work, while others have been subjected to unauthorized deductions from their assistance.
Senator Tulfo emphasized the need for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to establish clear guidelines to prevent confusion and issues akin to previous subsidy distributions. Furthermore, Tulfo cited reports of 'ghost work' schemes where beneficiaries allegedly only pose for documentation without completing assigned tasks, such as community cleaning or agro-forestry activities.
To address these issues, Tulfo has coordinated with DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. to clarify the program's guidelines and qualification process. Bitonio indicated that the agency is collaborating with the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB to implement TUPAD Tuloy Pasada, aimed at augmenting the income of public transport workers affected by the ongoing fuel crisis.
However, Tulfo questioned the program's limited coverage, noting that only 50,454 public utility vehicle drivers are currently targeted beneficiaries out of an estimated 1.4 million drivers and operators listed in the LTFRB master list. In response, Bitonio explained that the beneficiary list is still undergoing validation, and the program remains open to qualified drivers not enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The DOLE previously stated that it has allocated PHP1.2 billion to expand TUPAD and other livelihood programs as part of the government's response to the national energy emergency. In addition to transport workers, the agency reported that 5,246 farmers and fisherfolk have received PHP120 million in assistance under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, with 37,875 others benefiting from TUPAD amounting to PHP534 million.
Bitonio also mentioned that repatriated overseas Filipino workers could avail of TUPAD, with job fairs being conducted nationwide in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers to support their reintegration. Tulfo stated that the forthcoming hearing aims to ensure that assistance programs are implemented fairly and efficiently, reaching the intended beneficiaries.
