ILOILO City – The government has rolled out an emergency employment and cash assistance program for public utility vehicle (PUV) workers, aiming to cushion income losses and prevent disruptions in transport services as the country grapples with high fuel prices.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officially launched Department Order No. 239-C, series of 2026, introducing the “TUPAD Tuloy Pasada” initiative — an intervention designed to immediately support drivers, conductors, and other transport workers affected by rising fuel costs and operational constraints.
The program forms part of the broader government response under Executive Order No. 110, which established the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) framework to address the socio-economic impact of the energy emergency.
At the core of the initiative is a dual objective: to provide short-term livelihood to displaced or financially strained transport workers while ensuring the continued operation of essential public transportation services.
Beneficiaries, identified and endorsed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), include PUV drivers who have suffered income losses, as well as conductors, mechanics, and other workers critical to transport operations.
Qualified participants will receive wages equivalent to the prevailing regional minimum rate for 15 to 30 days of employment. They will also be provided with occupational safety and health orientation, personal protective equipment (PPE), micro-insurance coverage, and access to skills training and employment facilitation services.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid professional driver’s license, and complete the required DOLE orientation prior to deployment. Workers or their family members who previously benefited from the regular TUPAD program may still qualify, although assistance is limited to one availment per family each year, except in cases of human-induced emergencies.
The program will initially be implemented in key regions, including Western Visayas, where transport demand remains high and workers continue to face economic strain.
DOLE Regional Office VI Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr. underscored the urgency and importance of the initiative, saying it goes beyond compliance and reflects the government’s commitment to protect vulnerable workers.
“Through TUPAD Tuloy Pasada, we reaffirm our mandate to buffer the effects of economic disruptions on vulnerable workers, while simultaneously sustaining vital transportation services for the general public,” Rodriguez said.
Coordination between DOLE and the LTFRB is already underway to ensure smooth implementation, with regional officials conducting preparatory meetings and field visits.
Officials said the program will remain in effect until the national energy emergency is lifted, positioning it as a critical stopgap measure to stabilize both livelihoods and mobility during a period of economic uncertainty./PN
