The reduced funding for the labor department’s emergency employment programs, such as the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) in its proposed 2026 budget, would cut the number of beneficiaries by over one million.
During the Senate Committee on Finance hearing Wednesday, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officials said the reduction would shrink TUPAD’s coverage from 4.2 million beneficiaries in 2024 to about three million next year.
The program faces a PHP6.31-billion cut under the agency’s proposed PHP44.382-billion budget for 2026.
DOLE Assistant Secretary Amuerfina Reyes said the reduction would directly affect beneficiaries who rely on the program during calamities and emergencies.
“Unang-una po na impact nito definitely with respect po ito sa number of beneficiaries… lalo na po in times of calamities, emergencies. It has been emphasized that this is a stop-gap measure. This is temporary employment (The main impact will definitely be on the number of beneficiaries, especially during calamities and emergencies. TUPAD has always been a stop-gap measure that provides temporary employment),” Reyes said.
She added that fewer beneficiaries would also mean weaker economic relief for displaced workers.
“Kung mababawasan yung suporta in terms of financial, definitely may domino effect po iyon… hindi lang sa number but in terms of the quality of intervention (If financial support is reduced, it will definitely have a domino effect — not only on the number of beneficiaries but also on the quality of government intervention),” Reyes said.
Data presented by DOLE showed that under the Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, TUPAD’s funding was reduced by 36.4 percent, while the Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) declined by 8.84 percent. The Government Internship Program (GIP) was the only component to receive an increase of 17.85 percent.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said an initial impact assessment showed that both TUPAD and livelihood programs have contributed to income growth for participants.
He added that the department is studying whether to extend the duration of TUPAD employment, which currently ranges from 10 to 90 days depending on project type.
“Seriously kino-consider namin na dagdagan yung period. Pero kung dadagdagan ang bilang ng araw ng pagtatrabaho, babawas din po iyon sa bilang ng pwedeng mabigyan ng programa (We are seriously considering extending the employment period. But if the number of workdays is increased, that would also reduce the number of workers who can benefit from the program),” Laguesma said.
Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian warned that the budget cut could have a “domino effect” on employment recovery, noting that TUPAD serves as a temporary lifeline for workers affected by disasters or economic disruptions.
He urged the department to conduct an impact study to determine whether the program remains effective.
Gatchalian said the Senate would review the long-term effects of the TUPAD budget cut to ensure that the program continues to serve as an effective safety net for displaced and low-income workers.
