The Commission on Audit (COA) praised the programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that address the needs and concerns of senior citizens and job-seeking persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In a statement, DOLE revealed that the initiatives that were praised by COA were the programs that facilitated the employment of 3,176 PWDs and 74,361 senior citizens and its support to elderlies and the differently-abled persons’ participation in union activities.
DOLE said that a total of 15,779 union officers, members, senior citizens, and PWDs, were provided labor-related training under its Workers Organization and Development Program.
Its Integrated Livelihood Program also granted 558 PWDs and 1,475 senior citizens assistance worth P9.5 million and P23 million, respectively, while the Labor and Employment Education Services helped over 1 million workers, employers, graduating students, senior citizens, and PWDs.
COA commended the said programs, including DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disdvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program and its legal service.
Aside from these programs, COA also lauded the agency’s public awareness activities and “creating awareness on the assistance for senior citizens and PWDs amid the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III urged various services, bureaus, and regional offices of the agency “to continuously strengthen the implementation of its programs and services and ensure inclusivity to effectively respond to the concerns and needs of senior citizens and PWDs.”