The House Committee on Labor and Employment chairman is fully backing the newly-installed Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis "Tol" Tolentino's vision of having more labor inspectors for the agency.

Specifically, Cavite 1st district Rep. Jolo Revilla is backing Tolentino’s initiative to strengthen the country’s labor inspection force, including the proposed partnership between the DOLE and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to develop and train additional labor inspectors.

Revilla likewise committed to support Tolentino’s request for an increase in DOLE’s personnel services (PS) budget to allow the hiring of more labor inspectors and address the agency’s longstanding manpower shortage.

The Cavite lawmaker cited Tolentino’s revelation that while DOLE has a total of 1,210 labor inspectors nationwide, only 447 are currently conducting actual workplace inspections across the agency’s 13 regional offices, a situation he described as clearly insufficient given the size and complexity of the nation’s labor force.

“The figure speaks for itself. While DOLE may have 1,210 labor inspectors on paper, only 447 are actively conducting inspections in workplaces across the 13 regions," the solon said.

"That number cannot be expected to effectively monitor the thousands of establishments operating nationwide. If we want stronger enforcement of labor laws, we must provide DOLE with the manpower and resources necessary to do its job,” noted Revilla.

He said Tolentino’s proposal recognizes a reality that labor advocates, workers, and responsible employers have long acknowledged—that effective labor law enforcement begins with a capable and adequately staffed inspection system.

“Labor inspectors are the frontline guardians of workers’ rights. They ensure compliance with labor standards, occupational safety requirements, and workplace regulations. Their work helps protect workers from abuse while promoting a culture of compliance among employers,” Revilla said.

According to him, the collaboration with TESDA can help create a sustainable pipeline of trained and qualified labor inspectors who can be deployed in different regions of the country.

“Secretary Tolentino is showing a practical and innovative approach by tapping TESDA’s expertise in skills development and training. This can help accelerate the preparation of future labor inspectors while maintaining professional standards,” he notes.

Revilla stressed, however, that training alone will not solve the problem unless DOLE is given sufficient budgetary support to hire additional personnel.

“That is why I fully support Secretary Tolentino’s call for a higher personnel services budget. We can train all the inspectors we want, but without funding for actual positions, the manpower gap will remain,” he said.

As chairman of the House labor panel, Revilla pledged to work closely with DOLE during budget deliberations to ensure that the agency’s manpower requirements are properly evaluated and addressed.

“We will carefully study DOLE’s requirements and support measures that will strengthen its ability to enforce labor laws and protect workers. Investments in labor inspection are investments in worker welfare, workplace safety, and industrial peace,” he said.

Revilla added that stronger labor inspections also benefit legitimate businesses by ensuring a level playing field where all employers are held to the same standards and obligations under the law.

“Responsible employers should welcome stronger enforcement because it promotes fair competition and discourages those who cut corners at the expense of workers,” he said.

The labor committee chairman said he looks forward to working with his fellow Caviteño, Tolentino in advancing reforms that will modernize labor governance, improve workplace conditions, and ensure that Filipino workers receive the protection guaranteed to them under the law.

“With Secretary Tolentino’s leadership and the support of Congress, we have an opportunity to strengthen labor standards enforcement and build a safer, fairer, and more productive work environment for every Filipino worker,” Revilla said.