DOLE suspends cash aid program

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has suspended the implementation of its cash assistance program in the second district of Quezon City following reports of alleged irregularities in the distribution of benefits there.

In a press briefing yesterday, DOLE spokesman Rolly Francia said the suspension of the agency’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program is effective immediately.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed DOLE National Capital Region director Sara Buena Mirasol to look into the anomalies.

“We are calling on the complainants to coordinate with us or our regional office so that we can strengthen the case that we may file against those proven involved in the (irregular) implementation of this flagship program of DOLE,” he added.

Some residents of Barangay Holy Spirit have complained that they received only P2,000 instead of P7,518 that they should get from the government under the TUPAD program.

According to a coordinator of the program, she was instructed to accompany the beneficiaries to a remittance center and deduct P5,518 from their cash assistance.