Dole to roll out P1.2B aid after Holy Week

National

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) will roll out ₱1.2 billion in assistance after Holy Week to support vulnerable workers, particularly those in the transport sector affected by rising fuel prices.

Dole Assistant Secretary Lennard Serrano said the agency is studying the implementation of the aid under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program, possibly through a service contracting scheme similar to that of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“Hopefully, after Holy Week, we can implement this. We are looking into how the Tupad program can help so drivers can continue servicing their routes,” Serrano said in an interview with dzBB as reported by Inquirer.net.

Under Tupad, beneficiaries are required to work in exchange for wages equivalent to the daily minimum rate in their region, with employment lasting from 10 to 90 days.

Serrano said the program serves as a temporary social protection measure for marginalized and displaced workers, especially during the ongoing national energy emergency.

Dole identified public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers as among the most affected by fuel price hikes linked to the global crisis, noting that existing subsidies are not enough to cover daily fuel costs.

The agency is also considering expanding the program to include tricycle drivers and PUV conductors.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has begun distributing ₱5,000 cash aid to transport workers in Metro Manila, with a nationwide rollout set after Holy Week.

The DOTr has also started releasing fuel subsidies ranging from ₱1,500 to ₱10,000, with distribution in areas outside Metro Manila scheduled to begin on April 6.

Additional assistance will be provided to other sectors, including 26,000 farmers and 26,000 fisherfolk who will each receive ₱3,000 in fuel subsidy, along with an extra ₱2,000 cash aid in April.

Malacañang said proposals for additional support, including assistance for the middle class and possible wage adjustments, are still under review pending funding sources.(Rodgelyn C. Morales, CTU-TC BAEL-ELSD Intern)