Senator Raffy Tulfo has urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure that beneficiaries of its emergency employment program are assigned more productive tasks rather than routine street sweeping.

Tulfo asked DOLE to implement more meaningful and impactful assignments for the participants of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

During a Senate hearing, Senator Tulfo suggested that TUPAD participants should be engaged in work with greater social value. He noted that tasks such as street cleaning could already be managed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and emphasized the need for the program to focus on more impactful community contributions.

“Yung pagwawalis ibigay na natin sa MMDA yan, kaya na ng MMDA yan. Stop na muna pagwawalis, marami pang ibang programa na puwedeng pagtuunan ng pansin,” Tulfo said.

As defined by the DOLE, TUPAD provides short-term emergency employment to displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers. The duration of employment ranges from a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of 30 days, depending on the specific nature of the assigned work.

Tulfo has suggested alternative activities for program beneficiaries, such as tree planting and school maintenance projects like painting classrooms.

DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Bitonio Jr. responded by saying that the agency has updated its guidelines to prioritize more meaningful work for those involved.

“We just revised our guidelines para ma-emphasize na yung kagaya ng sinabi ninyo yung meaningful naman dapat at merong social value yung kanilang ginagwa,” Bitonio said. “Sino ba yung mga nagrerepack ng relief goods? Mga TUPAD workers po yun.”

Tulfo also raised questions on the monitoring of program beneficiaries, saying there have been reports alleging that some beneficiaries pose for photos with equipment, such as brooms, but leave without completing their assigned tasks.

However, Bitonio assured lawmakers that field monitors are currently deployed to oversee the implementation of the program. They have also committed to submitting an accomplishment report to the committee.

-Paraluman News