MANILA, Philippines — The proposed budget of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for 2021 has increased by more than P9 billion, raising it to P27.53 billion.
During the budget briefing of the House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday (September 10), DOLE said most of the added amount will be allocated to benefits for workers whose livelihoods had been affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the budget which includes the one-time P5,000 financial assistance for two million beneficiaries.
DOLE initially requested P40 billion for this project to reach most of the affected workers.
“Actually hindi sasapat ang in-approve ng Department of Budget and Management. But if Congress — both the House and the Senate— will restore our original proposal, then we can reach more,” said DOLE’s Financial and Management Service director, Warren Miclat.
The department’s previous COVID-19 program for affected workers has only reached one million beneficiaries.
“Gusto lamang naming i-emphasize na kahit flexible work arrangement malaki rin ang income na nawala sa ating mga manggagawa kaya’t sila ay isa sa priority na binigyan ng financial assistance (We just want to emphasize that even with flexible work arrangements, our workers have suffered a huge income loss, that’s why they are among those prioritized to receive financial assistance),” explained DOLE Assistant Secreray Dominique Tutay.
This time, the agency promised to prioritize beneficiaries who did not receive assistance under Bayanihan 1.
The department also allotted a P500 million budget for 16,000 beneficiaries of the government’s Balik Probinsya program. MNP (with details from Rey Pelayo)
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