Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday, Oct. 22, expressed concern over the P6-billion reduction in the allocation for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

During the Senate hearing on the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) proposed 2026 budget, Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, asked DOLE officials about the potential impact of the budget cut on employment figures and the overall labor situation in the country.

“Ano pong epekto, Secretary, kasi nakita ko na natapyasan ng six billion ang TUPAD. Ano pong epekto ho nito other than mababawasan yung…I’m sure mababawasan yung number of beneficiaries, no? “What is the effect of this, Secretary? Because I saw that TUPAD’s budget was reduced by six billion. What impact will this have, other than the fact that—I’m sure—the number of beneficiaries will decrease, right?)” the senator asked.

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma confirmed the reduction’s direct effect on the program’s reach.

Gatchalian then asked whether the funding cut would have wider implications, specifically when it comes to employment. He noted that in 2024, around 4.2 million individuals benefited from TUPAD, but with the reduced budget, the number could drop by about one-third, or roughly one million people.

In response, DOLE Assistant Secretary Amuerfina Reyes explained that the cut would significantly affect beneficiaries, especially those in vulnerable circumstances.

“Unang-una po na impact nito definitely with respect ho ito sa number of beneficiaries. And when we say impact on the side of the beneficiaries lalo na ho in times of calamities (The first and most definite impact of this will be on the number of beneficiaries. And when we talk about the impact on the side of the beneficiaries, especially during times of calamities), in times of emergencies, it has been emphasized as a stop-gap measure, this is temporary employment,” Reyes said.

She added that TUPAD serves as a safety net for workers who suddenly lose income.

“At that time na nawalan ho ng trabaho ang isang manggagawa at walang ibang pagkukunan ng sources para ho sa pamilya, yung TUPAD ho ang isa sa sumasalo. So maaaring malaking maging kawalan sa kanila ho yun (At the time when a worker loses their job and has no other source of income for their family, TUPAD is one of the programs that steps in to help. So this could be a major loss for them),” she said.

Reyes also noted that the reduction could have a “domino effect” on the quality of government intervention.

“Kung mababawasan yung suporta in terms of financial, definitely may domino effect po yun, not only in terms of the number but in terms of the quality of intervention for our people who need it the most in times of emergencies and calamities (If financial support is reduced, there will definitely be a domino effect—not only in terms of the number of beneficiaries, but also in the quality of intervention for our people who need it the most during times of emergencies and calamities),” she said.

Gatchalian, meanwhile, underscored the need for a scientific and data-based evaluation of the TUPAD program to determine its effectiveness and inform future funding decisions.

“Ang punto ko ho is dapat science-based at meron tayong mga datos para makita natin yung effectiveness ng programa. Kasi for 2026, P11 billion po ang ilalagay natin. So malaki-laki siya, one of the bigger programs sa mga kababayan natin at maganda mayroon tayong impact study (My point is that it should be science-based, and we should have data to determine the program’s effectiveness. Because for 2026, we’re allocating ₱11 billion for it. That’s quite a large amount, it’s one of the bigger programs for our fellow citizens, so it would be good if we have an impact study),” he said.

In response, Laguesma said an impact study on TUPAD is already underway, noting that TUPAD often serves as a bridge to longer-term livelihood or employment facilitation programs.

The TUPAD program is a community-based safety net initiative that provides temporary employment to workers in the informal sector, particularly those who are underemployed, self-employed, or displaced due to economic challenges or calamities.