By Manila Bulletin
Published Sep 13, 2025 12:05 am
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Updated Sep 12, 2025 06:23 pm
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A job—even one that lasts only a few days—can mean the difference between food on the table or going to bed with an empty stomach for many Filipino families. In a country where poverty remains widespread, work—however temporary—offers dignity, security, and a crucial lifeline. With unemployment rate at 3.7 percent as of June 2025 (around 1.95 million Filipinos without jobs), the need for inclusive, accessible employment programs is an urgent concern.
The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program plays a vital role in addressing this. By offering short-term, community-based employment to those most in need, TUPAD provides displaced and disadvantaged individuals a chance to earn, contribute, and survive—especially during times of crisis or economic downturn.
DOLE is pushing to institutionalize TUPAD—transforming it from a temporary emergency response initiative into a permanent, fully funded government program. This move has the potential to become a transformative engine for social inclusion and sustainable development.
TUPAD is more than just a stopgap. It’s a program that has helped millions of Filipinos put food on their tables through dignified, though temporary, work. These projects—ranging from street cleaning, reforestation, irrigation repair, to the beautification of tourism spots—are tailored to each locality’s needs.
But TUPAD has its critics—and rightly so.
Some legislators and citizens have pointed out a troubling pattern: TUPAD beneficiaries standing idle, pretending to work just to complete the required number of days. This perception—often summarized in the phrase, “nagtatambay lang para kumita”— gives the program a bad name, and threatens to delegitimize its noble intent. It also has drawn attention to the program’s weaknesses in monitoring, implementation, and accountability, especially at the barangay level.
Still, this should not be a reason to scrap or downscale the program. Instead, it should fuel a stronger push for reform and more intelligent execution.
DOLE must ensure that every TUPAD beneficiary is actually performing meaningful work. This requires a clear set of deliverables, tighter project supervision, and a national tracking system. The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) has recommended a TUPAD Information Management System (TIMS), which would contain beneficiary records, project outcomes, and real-time monitoring tools. This is not only feasible but essential in the age of digital governance.
“Institutionalizing the TUPAD program is a good initiative for workers’ welfare and protection,” PIDS senior research fellow Connie B. Dacuycuy said, commenting on House Bill (HB) No. 86.
Additionally, reforms should include incentives for partner organizations that go beyond providing temporary jobs and actually absorb workers into permanent roles. This would expand TUPAD from a band-aid solution to a true stepping stone to long-term employment.
Critics also rightly argue that TUPAD work often involves low-skilled, manual labor, such as sweeping streets or clearing debris. To address this, the program must diversify the types of jobs it offers. Skilled workers—such as electricians, artisans, IT technicians, or community health aides—should be engaged in tasks that match their qualifications. PIDS has also suggested involving social enterprises as co-partners to provide more sustainable, socially responsible employment.
In an economy still recovering from the ripple effects of the pandemic and inflation, Filipinos need more than empty promises; they need access to work that gives dignity, income, and purpose.
The future of TUPAD lies in its ability to evolve—from a reactive emergency fund to a proactive job creation mechanism. With proper reforms, oversight, and expanded partnerships, TUPAD can become a cornerstone of inclusive labor policy, not just a quick fix.
