The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has so far released over PHP2.76 billion for the implementation of emergency employment and integrated livelihood program in Western Visayas under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Officer-in-charge Assistant Director for Western Visayas Melisa Navarra said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas here on Tuesday that DOLE’s integrated livelihood program (DILP) benefits the vulnerable, marginalized and displaced workers sectors.
‘This program extends provisions depending on the needs of individuals or groups. Vulnerable workers are those with no formal work arrangement, mostly in informal areas, while marginalized groups are those lacking education, have no opportunities, and have no access to government programs,’ she explained.
Meanwhile, displaced workers are those who used to work in the formal sector but lost their jobs due to calamities or human-induced causes.
From July 2022 until Aug. 30, the DILP assisted 17,097, including 2,111 p
arents of child laborers, with the total assistance amounting to PHP302.58 million.
Navarra said partner local government units or organizations serving as accredited co-partners can visit their office to apply for the program.
She said recipients are being monitored to know the other help they need to ensure the sustainability of their projects.
On the other hand, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) provides a package of assistance or temporary wage employment to disadvantaged workers.
‘The work ranges from 10 to 90 days, depending on the type of work program. Every beneficiary will receive a minimum wage per day of PHP400,’ Navarra said.
DOLE partners with local government units for its implementation while others are implemented by the department itself.
From 2022 to August 2024, the program benefited 504,450 workers, with more than PHP2.45 billion in salary released to the recipients.
Navarra added that they expect the amount released this year to reach over P
HP1 billion, given that from January to August, they have already disbursed more than PHP635.477 million.
DOLE released PHP767.9 million in the second half of 2022 and PHP1.054 billion in 2023.
Source: Philippines News Agency