TUPAD, other programs exempted from Comelec ban- DOLE
By Nidz Godino
“We have applied for the said exemption on January 18, 2022 and was issued an approval on February 10, 2022, signed and approved by Comelec Acting Chairperson Socorro Inting…with this exemption, we will continue to implement flagship programs of the department, especially our TUPAD even during this election period,” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)- Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla at virtual press chat said flagship emergency employment program for displaced and disadvantaged workers in the informal sector will continue after it secured an exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) .
She said the Comelec granted the request of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III for the exemption of five DOLE programs from activities prohibited during election period, including Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa ating Displaced, Disadvantaged workers program or TUPAD.
The DOLE secured an exemption from Comelec’s Resolution No. 1047 issued on December 16, 2021 which prohibited release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds in relation to the election period, effective March 25, 2022 to May 8, 2022.
Under the said resolution, emergency work necessitated by occurrence of public calamity shall be exempted from election ban.
Trayvilla said aside from TUPAD, exempted DOLE programs enumerated in the Comelec resolution are the Government Internship Program (GIP); Jobstart Philippines Program (JSP); Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES); and DOLE Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP).
“The services and programs of the department will continue to benefit our kababayans even during election period…we still have various packages that will be provided to our beneficiaries such as bigasan and other livelihood assistance, our Jobstart skills training, and other assets set for our child labor elimination program,” Trayvilla said.
The DOLE official likewise reminded local government units (LGUs) to inhibit associating the programs and services of the department, especially TUPAD project, on their respective campaigns.
“We would like to remind our partner LGUs on the proper use of TUPAD name…we advocate for its integrity because TUPAD is a service mark of DOLE…we have been issued with a copy of registration from Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) so we have legal protection for TUPAD,” Trayvilla concluded.
ISKUP! 