ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region has reiterated the appeal from its central office to report any unauthorized use of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program during this election season.
In a statement posted on DOLE-6’s official Facebook page, Regional Director Sixto Rodriguez Jr. clarified that the TUPAD Program is neither part of the electoral process nor affiliated with any political party or candidate.
This advisory followed the official statement issued by the DOLE-Central Office on February 11, which highlighted that TUPAD is a community-based program designed to provide temporary wage employment to disadvantaged workers aged 18 and above. It is implemented through direct administration by DOLE or its co-partners.
DOLE also urged the public to report any unauthorized use of the program.
“Officers and employees in the civil service are also expected not to engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign,” it added in a statement.
For reports, complaints, and inquiries, the public may contact the DOLE-6 office call the DOLE Hotline at 1349, or visit the official website at www.dole.gov.ph.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) granted exemptions to nine DOLE programs, including TUPAD, from the election ban. This was in response to a request from DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, which was approved in Memorandum No. 24-07945. The memorandum allowed the continuation of social services programs, including TUPAD, during the election period.
Other exempted programs include the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), Government Internship Program (GIP), JobStart Philippines Program (JSP), Adjustment Measures Program (AMP), Workers Organization Development Program (WODP), and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), which covers TUPAD.
Additional programs such as the Financial Assistance Program for Distressed Migratory Sugarcane Workers (MSW), Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP), and EnTSUPERneur Program are also exempt.
The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the release or expenditure of public funds within 45 days before a regular election, and Comelec Resolution No. 11060 specifically bans the use of public funds for social welfare and services projects from March 28 to May 11.
This is not the first time that DOLE-6 has assured the public that politics would not interfere with the TUPAD Program. Earlier, Melisa Navarra, assistant regional director and concurrent chief of the Technical Support Services Division, emphasized that politicians are well-aware of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules during the election period.
Navarra further assured that during program orientations, the DOLE only discusses topics related to TUPAD, and no political matters are allowed to be brought up by politicians. She added that they are strict about not allowing elected officials to endorse or discuss election-related topics during orientations.
“Respect for our elected officials is important, but we make it clear that the focus is on the TUPAD program,” Navarra said.
Additionally, DOLE-6 has also prohibited the distribution of t-shirts or other materials bearing the names of politicians during orientations. The DOLE provides personal protective equipment, such as t-shirts and hats, for beneficiaries, which are meant to be used during their work activities and not as political endorsements.
Navarra also noted that DOLE-6 coordinates with elected officials to ensure that the TUPAD Program is not used for political purposes. Instead, politicians are encouraged to create their own programs for engaging with constituents./PN
