Iloilo City drivers get DOLE Tuloy Pasada aid

The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 6, in partnership with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, launched the pilot implementation of the TUPAD: Tuloy Pasada Program in Iloilo City on May 6, 2026, to help ease the socioeconomic impact of the national energy crisis.

The 20-day emergency employment program, which runs from May 6–28, 2026, will benefit 116 drivers and Passenger Assistance Officers.

Each beneficiary will receive PHP 550.00 a day, personal protective equipment, and one-year group personal accident insurance coverage.

The initial rollout has a total allocation of PHP 1,325,880.00, including PHP 1,276,000.00 for beneficiaries’ wages.

For its pilot implementation, the program will cover beneficiaries working on traditional jeepneys and modern buses along the Tagbak–Buntatala–JM Basa Street route in Iloilo City.

TUPAD, or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, is DOLE’s emergency employment program for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers.

TUPAD Tuloy Pasada is part of the Marcos administration’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport, or UPLIFT, a coordinated government response framework under Executive Order No. 110 that seeks to cushion the impact of the national energy emergency on vulnerable sectors.

The program aims to address the urgent income needs of drivers affected by rising fuel costs and broader economic challenges while helping ensure the continued delivery of essential public transport services.

DOLE-6 Regional Director Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr. said the initiative supports transport workers and strengthens public service delivery.

“The TUPAD Tuloy Pasada Program reflects our continued commitment to assist our transport workers who are vital in keeping our communities moving. By providing temporary employment and reinforcing safety measures, we are able to address both economic needs and public service efficiency,” Rodriguez said.

The Iloilo City rollout also underscores stronger interagency collaboration in Western Visayas to protect workers’ welfare and help maintain efficient public transport services during the crisis.

“This program goes beyond temporary employment, it is a reflection of DOLE’s commitment to safeguard the dignity of our workers while addressing real needs on the ground especially in times of emergency,” Rodriguez said.

The rollout was formalized through a contract signing and orientation at Buntatala Gym in Jaro, Iloilo City, during the Labor Day celebration, where traditional jeepney drivers and Passenger Assistance Officers on the Buntatala/Tagbak–City Proper route were enrolled.