DUE to a lower budget allocation, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) expects the emergency employment program called Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) to have fewer beneficiaries next year.
In a media forum in Manila, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said they are projecting that they will see fewer TUPAD beneficiaries next year, given that only P11 billion has been allocated in the proposed national budget for 2026.
“The large portion of the DOLE budget cut in 2026 is for the TUPAD funds,” said Laguesma.
“The number of beneficiaries will be reduced. It will probably be reduced by a lot compared to how many we can serve in the past,” he added.
Records show that the TUPAD funds for 2025 stood at P18 billion.
TUPAD is a program that provides emergency, short-term employment to workers who are displaced, underemployed, or seasonal, in exchange for the minimum wage prevailing in their respective regions.
Asked how much the numbers will be reduced, Laguesma said they cannot determine yet.
“Only when we see the final allocation for 2026 can we project,” said Laguesma.
He said the Department is prepared to adjust based on the available funds.
“What will happen there is that we will try to prioritize the beneficiaries… As the saying goes, if the blanket is short, learn to curl up,” said Laguesma.
