How To Apply For DOLE Emergency Employment For Informal Workers or TUPAD

4 min read By eCompareMo on April 17, 2020

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has launched various programs to mitigate the economic damages brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Labor agency has provided financial assistance to different types of beneficiaries, especially workers who were displaced because of the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Now, workers from the informal sectors and marginalized groups can still earn amid the lockdown. Here’s how informal workers can apply for DOLE TUPAD Emergency Employment.

What is DOLE TUPAD?

TUPAD stands for “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers,” and it’s a community-based program/assistance that provides temporary employment for workers from the informal sector who are displaced and affected by the ECQ.

Informal workers are:

• Underemployed, or paekstra-ekstra lang
• Seasonal workers
• Self-employed
• Displaced marginalized workers
• Workers outside the quarantined regions who also lost their means of earning

Types of emergency employment under the TUPAD Program

Here is the list of work that informal workers will be designated to:

Social community projects

• Improvement, maintenance, and repair of common public infrastracture (schools, health centers, etc.)
• Debris clearing
• De-clogging of canals
• Debris segregation and/or materials recovery
• Stockpiling and clearing

Economic community projects

Rehabilitation, maintenance, and repair of common service infrastructure, such as:

• Bridges
• Farm-to-market roads
• Post-harvest facilities
• Public markets
• Fish ports
• Production and display centers

Agro-forestry community projects

• Tree planting
• Seedling preparation
• Reforestation

(Read: Where To Donate Cash And Supplies To Help Fight COVID-19)

What are the benefits under TUPAD program?

The benefits under TUPAD is an emergency employment lasting up to 30 days, depending on the job designation. This is under the “Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko! Disinfecting and/or Sanitation Project,” or #BKBK.

Computation of TUPAD benefit

If a displaced worker in NCR rendered two weeks of service under TUPAD or #BKBK, then:

Minimum wage for NCR multiplied by 14 days = TUPAD pay

P537 x 14 = P7,518

*Aside from the pay and other benefits, the worker will also be asked what training or skill from TESDA they want to acquire to prepare themselves for self or wage employment after this project.

Who are qualified?

Qualified applicants are the following informal workers:

• Kasambahays or helpers
• Jeepney drivers
• Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers
• Angkas drivers or from similar ride-hailing apps
• Carinderia owners
• Vendors
• Dishwashers
• Independent contractors
• Senior citizens who are still fit to work

NOTE: You don’t have to be a registered voter to apply for this program. Beneficiaries, who received financial assistance from LGUs, can still apply for TUPAD #BKBK if the total benefit does not exceed ₱8,000.

Who are not eligible for TUPAD Program?

Applicants are not qualified to apply for TUPAD if they are:

• Chosen beneficiaries of DOLE under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP)
• Chosen beneficiaries of DSWD under Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS)
• Farmers who received cash subsidy from Department of Agriculture
• Persons aged 17 and below, as per anti-child labor laws

Who will process the application?

These are the authorized people to process the applications of informal workers:

• Barangay captains
• Mayors
• Other local government officials

Requirements for TUPAD

No requirements will be needed from the applicants/beneficiaries, but the barangay has to submit documentary requirements to the nearest LGUs:

• TUPAD Work Program
• Letter of Intent
• List of beneficiaries
• Memorandum of Agreement, between DOLE and the Barangay/LGU.
• Contract of service is also accepted

(Read: How To Find A Job During A Crisis Like COVID-19)

Steps to apply for TUPAD programs

Here’s the process for informal workers to become part of TUPAD:

1. The informal worker must go to to the Barangay Hall or the municipality’s Public Employment Office and ask to be included in the beneficiary list under TUPAD #BKBK. As per DOLE, it is recommended to do this through a group representative.
2. If the local Barangay or LGU is not familiar with the process, the informal worker can also apply individually by sending an email to regional DOLE office based on the area. DOLE will verify the details from LGU.
3. Beneficiaries who are approved will be designated to clean and disinfect their houses and surroundings.
4. A beneficiary who finished the task will be provided with a proof of completion by the local barangay.

How to receive the TUPAD cash benefits

Here’s how the payment will be given to beneficiaries:

1. As administered by LGU or Barangay, TUPAD beneficiaries will receive their payment or cash benefits in as a money remittance through Palawan Express.
2. The beneficiary will receive 50% of the pay on the fifth day of work, and the remaining amount will be at the end of the 10-day work duration. It varies with those who have longer period of employment.
3. For areas without money remittance centers, LGUs can reach out to DOLE for the release of cash.

For more details, please refer to the DOLE website or call their hotline 1349.