Manila: Close to 10,000 jeepney drivers and transport workers nationwide have been provided emergency employment under the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) TUPAD Tuloy Pasada Program.

According to Philippines News Agency, as of May 28, the program has reached 9,981 beneficiaries, of which 3,343 have completed their work, while 6,638 have ongoing work out of the 50,454 targeted public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and transport workers nationwide. The total assistance provided so far amounts to PHP45.2 million.

The program is currently being implemented in 10 regions, including the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga. Under TUPAD, beneficiaries are given temporary minimum wage income support while continuing to serve commuters and keep public transportation running.

In Central Luzon, 738 jeepney drivers in Pampanga, plying the San Fernando-Angeles and Angeles City routes, were included in the program. Each worker will receive PHP18,600 for the 31-day emergency employment period from May 18 to June 23.

In Calabarzon, the program was launched on Labor Day and initially covered 716 transport workers, supported by a PHP9.08 million budget for 20 days of work. In the Bicol Region, 46 PUJ drivers in Naga City have started receiving emergency employment assistance through the program.

A total of 115 beneficiaries, including drivers and passenger assistant officers in Iloilo City, were provided with emergency employment. The program also assisted 1,657 TUPAD beneficiaries in Northern Mindanao as of May 21 and 99 transport workers in General Santos City.

The initiative is part of the whole-of-government response under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), pursuant to Executive Order 110, which aims to cushion the impact of soaring fuel prices on transport workers.