A total of 1,474 transport workers across Eastern Visayas have been enlisted as beneficiaries of the government’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, which provides financial assistance to those affected by the continuing rise in fuel prices.
Drivers, conductors, and mechanics from the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar and Eastern Samar will receive support under the TUPAD Tuloy Pasada 2026 program, according to Norma Rae Costimiano, the Department of Labor and Employment-Eastern Visayas (DOLE-8) information officer.
In a phone interview on Thursday, Costimiano said the initiative was launched on June 17 through a partnership between DOLE-8 and the region’s Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-8).
“The program seeks to encourage transport sector workers to continue providing essential public transportation services despite rising fuel costs brought about by tensions in the Middle East,” Costimiano told the Philippine News Agency.
Under the program, qualified beneficiaries will receive compensation for providing six hours of daily service, helping sustain their livelihoods while ensuring the continued availability of transportation services for the commuting public.
Participating vehicles will prominently display TUPAD Tuloy Pasada signage during their six-hour operations as a symbol of their participation in the government intervention and commitment to serving commuters.
Each beneficiary will work for 20 days and receive a daily wage of PHP470. The labor department has allocated more than PHP15 million for beneficiaries’ wages.
In a statement, LTFRB-8 said the program aims to provide immediate financial relief to public utility vehicle workers affected by rising fuel prices, mitigate the oil crisis’ impact on the transportation sector, ensure the uninterrupted delivery of public transportation services, and support drivers and commuters through responsive government assistance.
The agency added the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of transportation workers while maintaining reliable public transportation services amid economic challenges. (PNA)
