ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas has defended its assistance programs for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, stressing that government aid is designed to promote employment — not dependency — as it rolls out targeted job and emergency work initiatives for vulnerable sectors.
The clarification came amid mounting criticism on social media from some middle-income earners who claimed that government support discourages work among beneficiaries.
DOLE Region 6 assistant director Melisa Navarra said the agency continues to provide opportunities for 4Ps beneficiaries, particularly through emergency employment and job facilitation programs, even as no specific directive has been issued addressing the online backlash.
Navarra emphasized that one of the agency’s key interventions, especially amid the ongoing energy-related transport challenges, is the TUPAD program or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers.
Under the current rollout, DOLE-6 is preparing to implement a pilot TUPAD initiative for public utility drivers affected by rising fuel costs and reduced income.
“The objective of the program is to provide supplemental income so drivers can continue operating and serving the commuting public,” Navarra said.
The pilot area will cover routes in Buntatala and Tagbak, with beneficiaries identified in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). As of the latest data, 75 drivers have been listed for the initial implementation, with orientation scheduled this May 1.
Qualified beneficiaries must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid professional driver’s license, and attend a DOLE orientation. Participants will render six hours of work daily, completing at least two to three routes within assigned shifts.
Each beneficiary will receive the prevailing daily minimum wage of P550, along with micro-insurance coverage and basic occupational safety training. The program runs for 20 days, either continuously or on a staggered basis, with wages processed within 10 days.
Navarra noted that while the current TUPAD rollout focuses on drivers, the program remains open to other disadvantaged sectors, including 4Ps beneficiaries.
“Wala man namon sila ginadisqualify. Sa TUPAD, pwede sila ka-avail,” she said, adding that while 4Ps households receive livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), such support is often not sufficient.
Navarra clarified that 4Ps beneficiaries are not eligible for certain DOLE livelihood grants, as these are already covered under DSWD interventions. However, she stressed that other employment opportunities remain accessible.
Meanwhile, Atty. Jorge Ferraris II, officer-in-charge of the Technical Support and Services Office (TSSO) of DOLE-6, underscored the agency’s partnership with DSWD in helping 4Ps families transition toward self-sufficiency.
Ferraris said DOLE regularly conducts job fairs targeting graduates from 4Ps households, particularly the children of beneficiaries, to help them secure employment.
“One of the goals of the 4Ps is for beneficiaries’ children to finish their studies and find jobs, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty,” he said.
Through coordinated efforts, DOLE and DSWD facilitate employment matching and skills development opportunities, including referrals to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for further training.
DOLE-6 officials stressed that government programs are designed not to encourage dependency but to provide temporary relief and pathways to sustainable employment./PN
