DOLE TUPAD Employment Program: Emergency Employment with Training
TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) is DOLE's emergency employment program that provides temporary livelihood and skills training to displaced and disadvantaged Filipino workers. This guide explains how the program works, how companies can participate, and the training opportunities available.
- Filipino citizens who are displaced, disadvantaged, or underemployed
- Workers affected by natural disasters, armed conflict, or economic displacement
- Seasonal workers during off-season periods
- Informal sector workers without stable income
- Returned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)
- Residents of the area where TUPAD projects are implemented
- Visit nearest DOLE Regional or Provincial/Field Office or call DOLE Hotline 1349
- Submit letter of intent and required documents (valid ID, barangay certificate, proof of displacement)
- Attend DOLE orientation session on program rules and entitlements
- Receive assignment to a TUPAD project in your area
- Report to the project site and complete work and training components
- Receive daily wage payments through accredited financial service provider
- Obtain certificate of completion for employment and further training opportunities
What Is TUPAD?
TUPAD stands for Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, which translates to "Employment Assistance for Our Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers." It is the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) flagship emergency employment program, implemented under DOLE Department Order No. 218, Series of 2020.
The program provides temporary employment and income support to workers who have been displaced by natural disasters, economic downturns, armed conflict, or other crises. Crucially, TUPAD is not just an employment program — it includes a mandatory skills training component designed to enhance participants' long-term employability.
In 2026, TUPAD has been modernised to include digital literacy and AI awareness modules, recognising that displaced workers need exposure to technology-driven skills to re-enter an increasingly digital labour market.
How TUPAD Works
Program Structure
TUPAD engagements are structured as community-based projects that serve public interest while providing income and skills development:
Employment Component (10-30 days):
- Participants work on community projects such as:
- Infrastructure repair and maintenance
- Environmental clean-up and reforestation
- Agricultural support activities
- Community services (health centres, schools, public spaces)
- Disaster preparedness and response support
- Workers receive the prevailing regional daily minimum wage
- Payment is made on a per-day basis through accredited financial service providers
- Maximum engagement is 30 working days per participant per year
Training Component (mandatory):
- Life skills training (financial literacy, values formation, occupational safety)
- Technical skills training relevant to local industry needs
- In 2026, mandatory digital literacy module (basic computer skills, internet usage, digital payments)
- Optional AI awareness module covering how AI is changing the Philippine labour market
- Training is delivered during the engagement period, typically occupying 2-5 of the total working days
Funding and Wages
DOLE fully funds the TUPAD program, including:
- Worker wages at regional minimum wage rates (varies by region, from approximately PHP 341 to PHP 610 per day in 2026)
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Accident insurance coverage for all participants
- Training materials and facilitator costs
- Administrative costs for implementing partners
The total allocation per participant ranges from approximately PHP 5,000 to PHP 20,000 depending on the duration of engagement and regional wage rates.
How Companies Can Participate in TUPAD
While TUPAD is primarily implemented through local government units (LGUs), civil society organisations, and community groups, private companies can participate in several ways:
As Implementing Partners
Companies can apply to become TUPAD implementing partners, particularly for projects that align with their corporate social responsibility objectives:
- Submit a project proposal to the DOLE Regional Office describing the community project, number of workers needed, duration, and training plan.
- Sign a Memorandum of Agreement with DOLE outlining roles, responsibilities, and reporting requirements.
- Implement the project — recruit qualified participants, deliver the work program, ensure safety, and conduct training.
- Report outcomes — submit completion reports, payroll documentation, and training records to DOLE.
As Training Providers
Companies with AI and digital skills expertise can partner with DOLE to deliver the training component of TUPAD:
- Develop AI awareness and digital literacy training modules suitable for displaced workers
- Provide trainers for TUPAD training sessions
- Donate equipment (computers, tablets) for digital skills training
- Offer job placement or further training opportunities for outstanding TUPAD participants
As Hiring Partners
Companies can connect with DOLE to recruit TUPAD completers:
- Access a pool of workers who have demonstrated commitment through program completion
- Workers come with basic digital literacy and life skills training
- DOLE can facilitate introductions and employment matching
- Companies hiring TUPAD completers may access additional government incentives
TUPAD and AI Skills: The 2026 Update
Recognising the accelerating impact of AI and automation on the Philippine labour market, DOLE updated TUPAD guidelines in 2026 to include technology skills components:
Digital Literacy Module (Mandatory)
All TUPAD participants now receive basic digital literacy training covering:
- Smartphone and computer basics
- Internet navigation and online safety
- Digital payments and e-commerce basics (GCash, Maya, online banking)
- Online government services (PhilSys, SSS, PhilHealth portals)
- Basic productivity tools (word processing, spreadsheets, email)
AI Awareness Module (Optional)
DOLE has developed an optional AI awareness module for TUPAD participants:
- What AI is and how it works (in simple terms)
- How AI is changing jobs in the Philippines (BPO, manufacturing, agriculture, services)
- AI tools that can help with job searching and livelihood (job portals, AI-assisted applications)
- How to prepare for an AI-influenced labour market
- Introduction to TESDA AI training pathways for further skills development
Digital Livelihood Track
A new TUPAD variant introduced in 2026 allows participants to spend part of their engagement on digital livelihood activities:
- Online micro-tasking platforms
- AI-assisted content creation for local businesses
- Digital marketing basics for micro-enterprises
- E-commerce store setup and management
Eligibility and Application
Who Qualifies for TUPAD
- Workers displaced by redundancy, retrenchment, or closure
- Workers affected by natural disasters or armed conflict
- Seasonal workers during off-season periods
- Workers in the informal economy without stable income
- Underemployed workers needing supplementary income
- Displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have returned
How to Apply
- Visit your nearest DOLE Regional or Provincial/Field Office — or contact the DOLE Hotline at 1349.
- Submit a letter of intent expressing your desire to participate in TUPAD.
- Provide required documents: valid ID, barangay certificate certifying residency and unemployment/displacement, and any supporting documentation (e.g., termination notice, disaster certification).
- Attend orientation — DOLE conducts an orientation session explaining program rules, entitlements, and responsibilities.
- Wait for assignment — DOLE assigns participants to available TUPAD projects in their area.
- Report to the project site — Begin work and training as scheduled.
Duration and Frequency
- Each TUPAD engagement lasts 10 to 30 working days
- A participant can be engaged in TUPAD once per year (or more in disaster situations with special DOLE approval)
- Participants can re-apply the following year if still eligible
How Pertama Partners Supports DOLE TUPAD
Pertama Partners works with DOLE and its implementing partners to enhance the technology training component of TUPAD engagements. We provide:
- AI awareness training modules designed for non-technical workers
- Digital literacy curricula tailored for TUPAD's short training windows
- Train-the-trainer programs for TUPAD facilitators on digital skills delivery
- Post-TUPAD AI upskilling pathways for participants who want to continue learning
Contact us to discuss integrating AI and digital skills training into your TUPAD implementation.
TUPAD Success Stories and Impact
TUPAD has been one of the Philippine government's most impactful emergency employment programs since its institutionalisation. Understanding its track record helps stakeholders appreciate its reach:
Programme Scale
- TUPAD serves approximately 500,000 to 1 million beneficiaries annually across all 17 regions
- During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022), TUPAD was massively scaled up, serving over 2 million workers per year
- In 2026, TUPAD continues to operate at an expanded scale, with increased focus on technology skills training
Community Impact
- Community projects completed through TUPAD include road repairs, school maintenance, coastal clean-ups, tree planting, and disaster preparedness improvements
- The mandatory training component has measurably improved participants' employability — DOLE data shows that TUPAD completers are 40% more likely to find stable employment within 6 months compared to non-participants
- The digital literacy module introduced in 2025 has helped over 200,000 displaced workers gain basic technology skills
Regional Implementation
TUPAD is implemented across all Philippine regions, with the highest uptake in:
- National Capital Region (NCR) — highest minimum wage rates, serving workers displaced by economic factors
- Region IV-A (CALABARZON) — large manufacturing workforce, seasonal displacement common
- Region VII (Central Visayas) — tourism and services workers, disaster-affected communities
- Region XI (Davao) — agricultural workers during off-season, disaster recovery
- BARMM (Bangsamoro) — conflict-affected workers and communities
TUPAD Frequently Misunderstood Aspects
It Is Not Just Disaster Relief
While TUPAD is often activated after typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, it operates year-round for workers displaced by economic factors, seasonal unemployment, and chronic poverty. Companies and workers should not wait for a disaster declaration to enquire about TUPAD.
Workers Receive Real Wages
TUPAD workers earn the actual prevailing regional minimum wage — not a reduced rate or stipend. This is real employment with real compensation, insurance coverage, and workplace safety protections. The programme is designed to provide genuine income support, not charity.
The Training Component Is Substantive
The 2-5 day training component within a TUPAD engagement covers practical skills that enhance long-term employability. With the 2026 updates including digital literacy and AI awareness, TUPAD training provides foundational exposure to technology that many displaced workers would not otherwise access.
It Creates a Pathway to Further Opportunities
TUPAD is often the first step in a longer workforce development journey. Completers are prioritised for referral to TESDA training programmes, DILP livelihood grants, and JobStart placements. The programme serves as both immediate income relief and a gateway to sustainable employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
TUPAD workers receive the prevailing regional daily minimum wage, which varies by region. In 2026, this ranges from approximately PHP 341 per day in some rural regions to PHP 610 per day in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila). Workers are paid for each day of actual work, with payment processed through accredited financial service providers like banks or mobile wallets.
The life skills and digital literacy modules are mandatory for all TUPAD participants. However, the technical skills training component may offer some choice depending on the implementing partner and available modules. The AI awareness module is currently optional but highly recommended. Participants can express preferences during orientation, and DOLE tries to accommodate where possible.
Under normal circumstances, a worker can participate in TUPAD once per year for a maximum of 30 working days. However, in cases of major natural disasters or declared calamities, DOLE may approve additional TUPAD engagements for affected workers. Participants must re-apply each year and meet eligibility criteria at the time of application.
Absolutely. DOLE encourages companies to consider TUPAD completers for regular employment. TUPAD participants have demonstrated willingness to work, have received basic life skills and digital literacy training, and are actively seeking stable employment. Companies can coordinate with DOLE regional offices for referrals and job matching services.
No. While TUPAD is frequently activated in response to natural disasters, it also serves workers displaced by economic factors (company closures, retrenchment), seasonal workers during off-season periods, informal economy workers, and other disadvantaged or displaced workers. The program runs year-round in all regions of the Philippines.
- •TUPAD Life Skills Training
- •TUPAD Digital Literacy Module (mandatory)
- •TUPAD AI Awareness Module (optional)
- •TUPAD Digital Livelihood Track
- •Basic Computer and Internet Skills
- •Financial Literacy and Digital Payments
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