The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Tuesday, Nov. 19, that it has successfully defended its budget in the Senate following deliberations at the plenary level.
In a statement, DOLE confirmed the Senate’s approval of its P47.34 billion budget for next year on Nov. 7, with Senator Loren Legarda serving as the primary sponsor during the discussions.
The bulk of the budget, amounting to P42.36 billion, is allocated to the Office of the Secretary, while P95.56 million is designated for the Institute for Labor Studies, P329.27 million for the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, P1.50 billion for the National Labor Relations Commission, P351.21 million for the National Wages and Productivity Commission, and P2.71 billion for the Professional Regulation Commission.
A significant portion of the deliberations centered on DOLE’s initiatives to assist workers affected by the nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The department has committed resources to emergency employment programs, livelihood assistance, and frequent job fairs—both physical and virtual—to help over 27,000 displaced workers secure new opportunities.
Additionally, DOLE has been actively involved in the cancellation of alien employment permits (AEP) for foreign nationals in POGO-related industries and is working with the Bureau of Immigration to facilitate their departure from the country.
In her sponsorship speech, Senator Legarda commended DOLE’s progress in occupational safety and health, citing the country’s improved rating from 67 percent in 2017 to 89.6 percent in 2024.
She also highlighted the department’s 99.89 percent compliance rate among construction establishments and its support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in meeting regulatory standards through technical and advisory support.
Legarda further praised DOLE’s international labor achievements, including its election as a deputy member to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body and its active participation in the ILO’s Committee on Freedom of Association and its International Training Center in Turin.
Other topics discussed during the deliberations included salary adjustments for coordinators of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers program, measures to combat labor-only contracting, and the enhancement of the Single Entry Approach for resolving labor disputes.