DOLE-7 warns public against fake information about TUPAD

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-7 has warned the public against a widespread misinformation online about the agency’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.

DOLE-7 issued the public advisory after misinformation made rounds online that the agency is giving out cash assistance to students under the TUPAD program.

“The program is an emergency employment program for the disadvantaged and displaced workers who went through the profiling activities conducted by DOLE,” the advisory reads.

It added that its implementation is not done through any social media platform and DOLE has assigned personnel who look into the profiling of TUPAD beneficiaries to ensure that those in the list comply with the prescribed guidelines.

The guidelines of TUPAD are found in Department Order No. 239, Series of 2023 or the Guidelines in the Implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

“The public is urged not to believe and trust the schemes promoted by unscrupulous groups or individuals online about the programs of DOLE. Anyone is always welcome to visit any of the DOLE Offices in Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu Province and in the Tri-City Field Office for clarifications about the DOLE’s programs,” DOLE-7 added.

TUPAD beneficiaries are engaged in community-based projects that address local needs, such as transport of goods, clean-up drives, and other public services.

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

On May 1, 2024, the labor department released an overall amount of P263 million to thousands of TUPAD beneficiaries in Central Visayas. – /FPL (FREEMAN)