Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed support for the rollout of temporary employment opportunities for disadvantaged, underemployed, and displaced workers as public schools nationwide prepare for the opening of classes.
The Department of Labor and Employment has begun deploying at least 200,000 workers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers program in support of the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela.
Under the initiative, beneficiaries will be assigned to schools to help clean school grounds, repair classrooms, and assist in other preparation activities to ensure that learning facilities are ready for returning students.
Go said the program highlights the importance of linking livelihood assistance with urgent community needs, particularly for families seeking short-term income support.
“Mahalaga po na mabigyan ng pagkakataong kumita ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga nawalan ng trabaho, kulang ang kita, o nangangailangan ng dagdag na suporta para sa kanilang pamilya,” Go said.
“Habang tinutulungan natin ang mga paaralan na maging handa para sa pagbubukas ng klase, natutulungan din natin ang mga manggagawa na magkaroon ng pansamantalang hanapbuhay. Dapat laging may malasakit sa kapwa,” he added.
DOLE said the temporary employment program will run from June until the opening of classes and may continue even while classes are ongoing. The agency said its regional offices have been directed to supervise the simultaneous implementation of the program nationwide in coordination with DepEd.
Launched in 2009 under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, TUPAD provides emergency and temporary wage employment to marginalized, underemployed, and displaced workers for 10 to 30 days.
Beneficiaries are usually assigned to community-based work such as street cleaning, canal declogging, tree planting, repair of public facilities, and other similar tasks. They are paid based on the prevailing regional minimum wage.
Go said temporary employment programs must remain responsive to the needs of workers who often bear the heaviest burden during periods of economic difficulty.
“Kung may trabaho, may panggastos sa pagkain, pamasahe, gamot, at pangangailangan ng pamilya. Kahit pansamantala, malaking tulong na po ito sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
The rollout comes as public schools prepare for the resumption of classes, with Brigada Eskwela serving as a community-driven effort to improve school facilities before students return. The deployment of TUPAD beneficiaries allows school preparation work to proceed while providing immediate income support to workers in need.
Go has also continued pushing for measures aimed at improving wages, livelihood opportunities, and labor protections.
He co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2534, which proposes a P100 daily minimum wage increase nationwide. He also filed Senate Bill No. 420, or the proposed Rural Employment Assistance Program Act, which seeks to provide temporary employment to displaced and seasonal workers.
Go also filed Senate Bill No. 2107, or the proposed Freelance Workers Protection Act, which seeks to strengthen protections for freelance workers by requiring written contracts and providing mechanisms for fair compensation, including night shift differential and hazard pay under specific conditions.
To protect delivery riders, Go filed Senate Bill No. 1184, or the proposed Food, Grocery and Pharmacy Delivery Services Protection Act, which seeks to promote the rights and welfare of delivery workers.
For government employees, Go is also advocating for Senate Bill No. 2504, or the proposed Salary Standardization Law 6, which seeks to adjust the compensation of government workers.
Go said assistance for workers should include both immediate relief and longer-term livelihood pathways.
“Ang mahalaga po ay mabigyan ng oportunidad ang mga Pilipino na makapaghanapbuhay nang marangal. Kung may kakayahan, may suporta, at may pagkakataon, mas marami po ang makakabangon,” he said.