The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released P39.2 million in livelihood and financial assistance in the Zamboanga Peninsula during the 128th Independence Day celebration on June 12, 2026. DOLE Zamboanga Peninsula Director Albert Gutib announced that P22 million of the total amount was allocated through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), while the remaining P17.2 million was distributed via the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad) program.
Beneficiaries of DILP and Tupad
Gutib stated that there are 525 DILP beneficiaries, including parents or guardians of child laborers, women associations, Persons with Disabilities, vegetable farmers, seaweed farmers, urban poor, union members, fisherfolk, Persons Deprived of Liberty, exited Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) recipients, and skilled workers. Of these, 389 beneficiaries are from Zamboanga City, and 136 are from Zamboanga Sibugay province.
For the Tupad program, 1,764 beneficiaries were identified, comprising underemployed, self-employed, marginalized workers, farmers, displaced workers, senior citizens, drivers, fisherfolk, and parents or guardians of profiled child laborers. Among them, 778 are from Zamboanga City, while 986 are from Isabela City in Basilan; Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; and Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte.
One-Stop Shop Services and Job Fairs
DOLE also organized a one-stop shop service where 21 government agencies participated, showcasing their programs and services to the public. Additionally, job fairs were held in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Sibugay province, offering 3,487 vacancies—1,816 for local employment and 1,671 for overseas jobs.
This year's Independence Day celebration was anchored on the theme "Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan" (Freedom, Future, History).
