A win-win solution.
That was how government officials see the inclusion of the beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to the “Brigada Eskwela” program of the Department of Education (DepEd).
The inclusion of TUPAD beneficiaries to DepEd’s weeklong program to prepare schools before the school year starts was made public during the regional launch of the Brigada Eskwela in San Pedro City, Laguna last June 3.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino joined officials of DepEd Calabarson led by Regional Director Carlito Ricafort; Laguna Governor Sol Aragones; Laguna 1st District Board Members Bernadeth Olivares and Raffy Campos; Laguna 1st District Representative Ann Matibag; and San Pedro City, Laguna Mayor Art Mercado at the launch activity held at the Pacita Complex 1 Elementary School.
The strategic partnership of DOLE and DepEd aims not only to solve the issue of short-term unemployment among Calabarzon’s residents but also fast-track the renovation and rehabilitation of school facilities, in time for the expected opening of classes this June 8.
“Kamakalawa, nilunsad po natin ito sa CARAGA at maraming sumali,” Tolentino himself said in his remarks during the launching ceremony. “Ngayon po, sa kauna-unahan pagkakataon dito sa Calabarzon, sa Laguna, ay ating ilulunsad ang nasabing programa.”
New chapter
Secretary Tolentino’s presence in the activity marked a new chapter in the implementation of the TUPAD program – a program that was originally started at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to provide temporary employment for disadvantaged workers.
Now in its fifth year, TUPAD has been credited in aiding thousands of workers who had been displaced by the Covid-19 pandemic and economic doldrums while they seek permanent employment.
However, the program has also received its fair share of criticisms.
Not only was TUPAD derided as yet another form of doleouts, the program was also marred by allegations that “traditional politicians” use it to bolster their election prospects.
Secretary Tolentino, however, has bolder plans for what has become DOLE’s flagship program.
“Mas palalawakin pa natin ang programa, mas pipilitin natin na mas maraming magkaroon ng kahit papaano ay pansamantalang hanapbuhay,” the secretary told OpinYon Laguna in an exclusive interview.
Spirit of bayanihan
Education Undersecretary Atty. Filemon Ray Javier, speaking for Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, once again highlighted the importance of the Brigada Eskwela in instilling a sense of cooperation among various stakeholders in the country’s education sector.
“Mahalaga ang mensahe na dala ng Brigada Eskwela: kapag nagtutulungan tayo, mas naging handa ang ating mga paaralan at mas nagiging handa ang ating mga kabataan para sa hinaharap,” Javier said in his message.
For his part, Mayor Art Mercado also emphasized how the spirit of Brigada Eskwela should not only transform school buildings but inspire educators to push further to improve the Philippines’ education sector.
“Habang tayo ay naghahanda para sa panibagong school year, naway lalo nating pagtibayin ang ating pangako na lumikha ng mga paaralang ligtas, maayos at nagbibigay-inspirasyon sa bawat batang Pilipino. At sa pamamagitan ng sama-samang pagkilos at pagtutulungan, maisisiguro natin ang bawat mag-aaral ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataong maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap at buong potensyal,” the city executive said.
A ‘national emergency’
Mercado’s message comes as the findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), once again highlighted the urgent need to improve not only the infrastructure but also of the quality of education being delivered in schools.
Some alarming statistics: By Grade 3, many learners are still unable to read, while at every grade level, one in four students is a struggling reader, and this worsens to more than 80 percent in Key Stage 3 (Grades 7 to 10).
But what concerned educators and concerned stakeholders is that 87 percent of Grade 11 students were found not to be independent readers – that is, they are unable to “comprehend and understand” material based on their level.
Correlated issues
So the question now is: with a decline in reading comprehension, cognitive skills and critical thinking among our youth, how can we prepare them to become an active part of our workforce?
In fact, some sectors are claiming that the progressive decline in our youth’s cognitive skills have largely deterred companies from getting the skilled workers desperately needed to prop up our economy.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) itself has noted that Calabarzon region's unemployment rate of 6.4 percent in January 2026 exceeded the national average of 5.8 percent during that period.
To put it in perspective, that's the equivalent of 510,000 "employable" residents of Calabarzon who were unemployed and most likely in need of aid under the TUPAD program.
The biggest takeaway from these statistics is that only a concerted effort by our government officials to overhaul our education system can alleviate the problem of ensuring that our youth gain employment.
(Photo by Catherine Go)
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