The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has paid PHP632.6 million to workers in Eastern Visayas under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program this year.

DOLE regional mediator-arbiter, lawyer Cecilio Baleña, said the emergency employment program has benefited 269,788 displaced workers in the region from January to August 2024.

“We expect more beneficiaries towards the end of the year since the total budget for TUPAD for the region is PHP1.88 billion this year,” Baleña told reporters during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing on Tuesday.

The labor department has yet to disburse the remaining PHP1.25 billion outlay for the program intended for this year.

Each of the beneficiaries received a daily pay of PHP405, the region’s existing daily minimum wage.

The program provides temporary employment to Filipinos for a minimum period of 10 days to a maximum of 90 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed.

All disadvantaged workers aged 18 and older are qualified as program beneficiaries. Senior citizens are also eligible for the program if they are fit to work and would not engage in hazardous work, according to guidelines.

The number of recipients has been increasing every year from 184,035 two years ago, 235,853 last year, and 269,788 in the past eight months.

Launched in 2020, TUPAD is a community-based program designed to offer temporary jobs to those affected by pandemic movement restrictions and other crisis situations.

Target beneficiaries are underemployed, self-employed, and displaced marginalized workers without a source of income due to crisis. (PNA)