COA flags P18.18M in irregular TUPAD payouts

The Commission on Audit (COA) has uncovered irregularities in the payout of cash assistance under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in 2025, involving at least P18.18 million. State auditors found that thousands of beneficiaries received assistance despite submitting incomplete documents or were overpaid. According to the COA report, 2,731 beneficiaries were paid even though they failed to comply with eligibility requirements, such as submitting valid government-issued identification cards. These cases were identified in the Eastern Visayas Region (1,093 beneficiaries), Davao Region (1,091 beneficiaries), Soccsksargen Region (523 beneficiaries), and Caraga Region (24 beneficiaries). Furthermore, 2,781 senior citizens received TUPAD funds despite submitting medical certificates that did not come from a licensed physician. The audit team stated that the absence of proper documentation made it impossible to sufficiently determine the beneficiaries' fitness for assigned work or if contracted services were actually rendered. In the Zamboanga Peninsula region, 1,275 individuals were overpaid under the TUPAD program due to lapses in database maintenance. In Soccsksargen specifically, COA found that some beneficiaries collected assistance multiple times – 330 individuals received it twice, 57 received it three times, and 132 received it four times. This was attributed to the inadvertent inclusion of beneficiaries due to the submission of different lists or inconsistencies in identification details. In response to the audit findings, the concerned DOLE regional offices have agreed to strictly enforce beneficiary validation and verification procedures to ensure that only those who fully meet eligibility requirements are granted assistance. COA has recommended the implementation of measures to recover the excess payments. The TUPAD program is a crucial social welfare initiative by the Philippine government aimed at supporting citizens facing economic hardship or displacement. It serves as a vital source of temporary income, particularly for those in the provinces and vulnerable sectors. However, the COA's findings raise concerns about the proper management and oversight of these funds, impacting public trust in the effective use of taxpayer money. Similar issues regarding government subsidies and aid have been reported in the past, underscoring the ongoing need for enhanced transparency and accountability in the Philippines.