Malacañang has directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to speed up and align the implementation of its emergency employment program with the government’s job generation efforts and the upcoming Brigada Eskwela ahead of the June school opening.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto met with newly appointed Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Tuesday to discuss the rollout of priority labor programs, including the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, or TUPAD.
TUPAD provides temporary work to disadvantaged, displaced, and underemployed workers, who are paid the prevailing daily minimum wage in their region. Beneficiaries usually work for 10 to 90 days on community-based projects such as street cleaning, clearing of waterways, and other public service activities.
Recto said the program could be strategically used to support Brigada Eskwela by deploying workers to help in the maintenance, repair, and beautification of public schools nationwide before classes resume.
The initiative would allow the government to address two needs at once: prepare schools for learners and provide short-term income opportunities for Filipinos in need.
Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Fatima Lipp Panontongan also attended the meeting, reflecting the planned coordination between the labor and education agencies for the school preparation drive.
Recto also assured Tolentino of the full support of the Office of the Executive Secretary in implementing DOLE’s other programs and initiatives.
Tolentino took his oath on Monday as acting labor chief, replacing Bienvenido Laguesma, who stepped down due to health reasons.