DOLE releases P1.3B aid to nearly 194,000 workers under TUPAD

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released P1.3 billion in assistance to about 194,000 Filipinos who participated in the agency’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program in 2025.

DOLE Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio said 29,963 of the beneficiaries were workers and residents directly affected by Tropical Cyclones Tino and Uwan. She added that the agency released P187.6 million in November alone to sustain emergency employment interventions in disaster-hit areas.

“During Tropical Cyclone Tino, DOLE provided P51 million in wages to 8,227 beneficiaries in Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Bataan,” Panlilio said.

Assistance for communities recovering from Tropical Cyclone Uwan amounted to P136 million, benefiting 21,736 individuals in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac.

In Aurora, one of the hardest-hit provinces, DOLE distributed P33 million to 5,463 beneficiaries engaged in post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation activities.

In Bulacan, where several coastal and low-lying areas experienced flooding, 5,279 residents received emergency employment assistance totaling more than P32 million.

Under the TUPAD program, beneficiaries were employed in various community-based rehabilitation projects, including the construction of temporary bamboo bridges and access roads, repair of evacuation shelters, clearing of canals, and other activities aimed at accelerating recovery efforts and ensuring community safety.