SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed support for efforts to provide temporary employment opportunities to disadvantaged, underemployed, and displaced workers while helping public schools prepare for the opening of classes.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has started rolling out at least 200,000 jobs nationwide under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program as part of this year’s Brigada Eskwela activities.

According to DOLE, beneficiaries will be deployed to schools to assist in various tasks under the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela program, which aims to ensure learning facilities are ready for the start of the new school year.

Workers will help clean school grounds, repair classrooms, and undertake other improvement and maintenance activities to make schools safe and conducive to learning.

Go said the initiative highlights the value of linking livelihood assistance with community needs, particularly for families seeking short-term income opportunities while schools are preparing to welcome students back.

“Mahalaga po na mabigyan ng pagkakataong kumita ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga nawalan ng trabaho, kulang ang kita, o nangangailangan ng dagdag na suporta para sa kanilang pamilya,” Go said.

“Habang tinutulungan natin ang mga paaralan na maging handa para sa pagbubukas ng klase, natutulungan din natin ang mga manggagawa na magkaroon ng pansamantalang hanapbuhay. Dapat laging may malasakit sa kapwa,” he added.

DOLE said the temporary employment program will run from June until the opening of classes and may continue even after classes have started.

The agency added that its regional offices have been directed to oversee the simultaneous implementation of the program across the country in coordination with DepEd.

Launched in 2009 under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, TUPAD provides emergency and short-term wage employment to marginalized, underemployed, and displaced workers for periods ranging from 10 to 30 days.

Beneficiaries are typically assigned to community-based projects such as street cleaning, canal declogging, tree planting, repairs of public facilities, and other similar activities. They receive compensation based on the prevailing regional minimum wage.

Go emphasized that temporary employment initiatives should remain responsive to the needs of workers who often bear the brunt of economic challenges.

“Kung may trabaho, may panggastos sa pagkain, pamasahe, gamot, at pangangailangan ng pamilya. Kahit pansamantala, malaking tulong na po ito sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

The initiative comes as public schools nationwide gear up for the opening of classes, with Brigada Eskwela serving as a community-based effort to improve school facilities before students return.

By deploying TUPAD beneficiaries to schools, the government is able to address two priorities at once—ensuring schools are ready for the new academic year while providing immediate income support to workers in need.