DOLE: Over 1.7-M workers receive P9.9-B in employment assistance
By Trixee Rosel

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has disbursed P9.9 billion in livelihood and emergency employment assistance to 1,721,710 workers nationwide in the fourth quarter of 2024.
DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) has provided essential support to displaced and disadvantaged workers through livelihood grants and short-term employment initiatives.
According to the DOLE Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC), 35,467 beneficiaries received livelihood grants under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), helping them establish or enhance small businesses.
A total of 19,342 livelihood projects were created, including 444 group projects and 18,898 individual enterprises, with P771.6 million in grant assistance.
These projects span across food-related businesses, retail, trade, and service-oriented ventures.
Of the total DILP beneficiaries, 28,736 workers launched 15,401 new livelihood projects under the program’s formation component, receiving P628.6 million in grant assistance, while 6,590 individuals expanded existing businesses through the enhancement component with P139.3 million in funding.
Additionally, 141 disadvantaged workers in seven regions affected by calamities received P3.7 million in aid to help restore their livelihoods.
The livelihood grants primarily supported self-employed individuals with insufficient income, landless farmers, parents of child laborers, senior citizens, and fisherfolk.
Meanwhile, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program provided emergency employment to 1,686,243 workers through 6,844 projects, distributing P9.13 billion in wages.
Central Luzon recorded the highest number of TUPAD beneficiaries, with 251,917 workers engaged in community clean-ups, gardening, and soil cultivation.
CALABARZON followed with 192,704 workers employed in public road clearing, canal dredging, and tree-planting, while Bicol saw 170,419 workers involved in infrastructure and facility improvements.
As part of the government’s commitment to inclusive development, 7,723 DILP beneficiaries (21.78%) and 353,589 TUPAD workers (20.97%) hailed from fourth- to sixth-income class municipalities, where employment opportunities are scarce.
DOLE continues to implement DILEEP to assist workers in vulnerable sectors, providing sustainable livelihood opportunities and short-term employment support.