TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has extended emergency employment assistance to 177 public transport workers in Southern Leyte through the launch of the TUPAD–Tuloy Pasada program, providing temporary income support to drivers and transport personnel grappling with the impact of rising fuel prices.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Southern Leyte Field Office (SLFO) formally launched the TUPAD–Tuloy Pasada program on July 2 as part of the national government’s efforts to cushion the effects of escalating fuel costs on the public transport sector.
Implemented under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program, the initiative forms part of the government’s coordinated response to the global energy crisis pursuant to Executive Order No. 110, which established the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) to assist sectors most affected by soaring fuel prices.
The program aims to provide temporary employment and financial assistance to public utility drivers and transport workers whose incomes have been adversely affected by higher fuel costs while ensuring the continued delivery of public transportation services across Southern Leyte.
A total of 177 beneficiaries, including multicab-for-hire (MCH) and public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers, dispatchers, and collectors, were enrolled in the program.
The beneficiaries operate along key transport routes covering Hilongos–Maasin–Malitbog, Hilongos–Sogod, Maasin City–Bato, Maasin City–Padre Burgos, Maasin City–Sogod via Malitbog, Maasin City–Libertad, Maasin City–Hilongos–Inopacan, Maasin City–Sogod via Lunas, Maasin City–Tomas Oppus, Maasin City–Macrohon, Sogod–Libagon, Sogod–Malitbog, and Sogod–Tomas Oppus, including return trips.
Under the TUPAD–Tuloy Pasada program, each beneficiary will render six hours of work per day for 20 days in exchange for emergency employment assistance amounting to P9,400.
The initiative is expected to provide temporary financial relief to transport workers while helping sustain public transport operations amid the continuing economic pressures caused by higher energy costs.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
