DOLE's cash-for-work program turns into cash-no-work in QC- Bello
The Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) exposed on Wednesday, Sept. 15, alleged irregularities in the implementation of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD program in Quezon City.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the personally learned from the beneficiaries in Barangay Batasan Hills themselves that they are being paid short of their supposed salary. The same complaint was earlier raised by beneficiaries in Barangay Holy Spirit, also in Quezon City.
TUPAD is a cash-for-work program that aims to provide emergency employment for displaced workers including those affected by the ongoing pandemic.
Worse, some of the beneficiaries have been receiving salary even without working.
READ: Uh oh: DOLE suspends 'TUPAD' in QC District 2 over irregularities in aid distribution
Bello said that during the meeting, the beneficiaries revealed that they have been receiving cash assistance under TUPAD despite not being required to work by their project coordinators.
"Ang sabi nila ay hindi naman sila nagtrabaho so ito ay mga hindi legal na benepisyaryo ng TUPAD (They said they did not render the required community work hours so they are illegal beneficiaries of TUPAD)," Bello said in a virtual press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 15.
According to Bello, he already sought help from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to help in the ongoing probe of the DOLE National Capital Region (NCR) office and identify those involved in this "corrupt practice."
"Halatang-halata na isang irregularity--isang scam ito. Aalamin natin kung sino ang nagbigay sa kanila ng trabaho pero hindi naman pinagtatrabaho at nagbigay ng pera pero hindi iyon ang dapat na makarating sa kanila (It is an obvious irregularity or scam. We will find out who gave them the job and who deducted their supposed salary)," he said.
The labor chief added that the Department will file a case of qualified theft or estafa against those behind the anomalous implementation of TUPAD in the district once the probe is finished.