LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello has recalled one of his agency’s field officer over an alleged anomaly on the implementation of the government’s flagship cash-for-work program.
Bello ordered the recall of field officer lawyer Joel Petaca of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-National Capital Region Office to his mother unit so he can shed light on the controversy.
The move came following allegations of irregularities in the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program in several districts of the locality.
“I want to know why he allowed such problems to happen in the delivery of Tupad in Quezon City. He was supposed to monitor the program of our department. Was he negligent?” Bello said.
Earlier, Quezon City residents claiming to be beneficiaries of Tupad complained payouts of the program were not given in full. Reports of “ghost beneficiaries” were also brought to the attention of authorities.
Bello said DOLE is almost done with its investigation on the matter. He said they are also waiting for the outcome of the probe conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation.
“Once all the reports are in, we will definitely go after the individuals behind this problem,” he said.