‘50 TUPAD slots to be provided to PDL families as added help, opening temporary income opportunities’ - says Gov. Edduba during the GANDAng HR Bridges–Project PAG-ASA

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Provincial Government of Kalinga, led by Governor James S. Edduba, is set to provide 50 slots under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to qualified family members of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the BJMP-Kalinga District Jail.

An additional 20 slots are also being lined up, potentially expanding the temporary employment assistance to more PDL families.

The assistance was announced during the GANDAng HR Bridges–Project PAG-ASA held September 10 at the BJMP-Kalinga Field Office in Bulanao, Tabuk City, as part of the month-long celebration of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.

BJMP-Kalinga JO3 Cristina Nicolas Edduba said the Provincial Government has also supported the jail facility, including the construction of its functional hall, which is used for various activities involving PDLs.

She clarified, however, that the TUPAD slots will not be directly provided to PDLs because they are no longer eligible for the program. Instead, qualified family members may avail themselves of the employment assistance.

“Sa PLGU-Kalinga, etong functional hall natin ay galing sa PLGU. Meron ding TUPAD na ibibigay si Governor James Edduba na 50 slots. Ang TUPAD ay hindi na pwede sa ating mga PDL pero pwede sa family member,” she said.

The planned assistance could provide temporary income to families of PDLs who may face financial difficulties while their relatives remain in detention.

The TUPAD assistance complements livelihood, skills training, legal support and other programs being provided to PDLs and their families as part of rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into the community.

Livelihood support for PDLs

The BJMP-Kalinga District Jail has also linked PDLs to livelihood and skills-development programs.

During the September 10 activity, 30 PDLs showcased products they had made, including cogon baskets and bags, bamboo coffee cups and furniture.

Edduba earlier reported that the DSWD-SWAD provided ₱1.28 million in Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) funding in 2024 for livelihood initiatives benefiting PDLs.

Some of the products made through the SLP-Kalinga SWAD program are being sold through pasalubong centers, providing PDLs with an opportunity to generate income from their skills.

The planned TUPAD assistance, together with livelihood and skills-development programs, is expected to provide additional support to PDL families while helping beneficiaries develop temporary sources of income.

What is TUPAD?

TUPAD is a community-based emergency employment program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that provides temporary work and income support to disadvantaged, displaced, underemployed and seasonal workers.

Beneficiaries are generally engaged in community-based activities, with their wages based on the applicable minimum wage rate and the number of days they are employed.

According to the Philippine Information Agency-Kalinga, 387 disadvantaged workers in Lubuagan received at least 16 days of temporary employment in January 2026 at ₱470 per day, equivalent to up to ₱7,520 for 16 days.

The beneficiaries worked on projects such as road excavation, farm-to-market road opening, pathway and foot trail improvement, and agroforestry activities.

The planned slots for qualified PDL family members would similarly provide temporary employment and income support while allowing beneficiaries to participate in community-based work.

For PDL families, the assistance could help ease some of the financial burden associated with having a family member in detention while supporting efforts toward rehabilitation and eventual reintegration.