FAKE NEWS. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) warns public against fake news on its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program circulating online. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Wednesday (May 8, 2024) said TUPAD Program is not a scholarship grant but a temporary employment assistance. (Photo grabbed from DOLE Facebook page)
MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a warning to the public against unscrupulous individuals who are using the department’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program to confuse the public and circulate fake news.
During an interview at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said he has seen several social media posts stating that DOLE will give out from PHP6,000 to PHP10,000 if they apply to the program.
Laguesma said TUPAD program is not a scholarship grant program, but a temporary employment assistance program for individuals 18 years old and above.
“Maraming naka post sa social media na nag-aadvertise daw ang DOLE na pwede kang mag apply kung ikaw ay nag-aaral at meron kang, yung tatay mo, or whatever, na pag nag apply ka online pwede kang makakauha ng PHP6K, PHP8K, or PHP10K. Wala pong ganitong klaseng advertisement ang (There are many social media posts saying that DOLE is advertising that one can apply, if they are studying, or if their father, or whatever, that if they apply online, they can get PHP6K, PHP8K, or PHP10K, we do not have such advertisement at the) Department of Labor and Employment,” he said.
“Ang TUPAD po ay hindi po scholarship program, ito po ay temporary employment assistance, at ito ay pinag tatrabahuan, hindi ito dole out, hindi ipinamimigay na walang ginagawa, at may proseso bago ka maging benepisyaryo ng TUPAD, nakalagay yan sa panuntunan (TUPAD is not a scholarship program, this is a temporary employment assistance, and one has to work for it, this is not dole out, one has to work for it, and there is a process for an individual to become a beneficiary of TUPAD, that is in the guidelines),” he added.
On Tuesday, the DOLE has issued a warning against posts circulating on Facebook from a certain “Philippines Scholarship” Facebook page on the department’s TUPAD Program.
‘Fake news’
“Pinapayuhan ang lahat na i-report sa Facebook ang ganitong uri ng posts at public pages, at sumangguni sa mga tamang tanggapan ng DOLE kung may katanungan o paglilinaw patungkol sa mga serbisyo at programa (We advise everyone to report this kind of posts and public pages to Facebook, and to always refer to proper DOLE offices in case they have questions or clarification on our programs and services),” the warning reads.
For any concern, the public may call the DOLE Hotline 1349, or go to the nearest DOLE office in their area.
Other announcements and important information may also be accessed through DOLE’s official website https://www.dole.gov.ph/key-officials/. (PNA)
