MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) presented a proposed P47.057 billion budget for 2027 before the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with employment generation, worker protection and labor services among its priorities.
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino led DOLE officials during the budget hearing, which was presided over by House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Rep. Rommel T. Angara.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Kiko Benitez also presented the proposed budget of the DOLE-attached agency.
Of the proposed P47.057 billion, P20.954 billion is allocated for DOLE, P20.895 billion for TESDA, P2.694 billion for the Professional Regulation Commission, P1.733 billion for the National Labor Relations Commission, P369.242 million for the National Wages and Productivity Commission, P332.463 million for the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, and P78.794 million for the Institute for Labor Studies.
In a statement on Tuesday, Tolentino said DOLE would focus on creating more employment opportunities, preparing workers for changes in the labor market, strengthening workers' rights and welfare, improving social protection, providing access to labor justice and maintaining industrial peace.
“As we move towards 2027, the Department remains focused on delivering outcomes that matter most to Filipino workers — more and better employment opportunities, a future-ready workforce, stronger protection of workers’ rights and welfare, strengthened social protection, accessible labor justice, and sustained industrial peace,” the labor chief said.
He identified Trabaho Agad as a key initiative for creating employment opportunities and providing faster access to labor services.
The department will also implement Future-Ready Manggagawa, which Tolentino said would equip Filipino workers with skills and resilience to adapt to changes in the workplace.
The budget deliberations also covered the implementation of Wage Order No. 27, which Tolentino said would proceed pending a decision by the courts.
Other issues raised during the budget review included the protection of workers in the gig economy, assistance for agricultural workers during the off-season and the proposed establishment of a Labor Attorney's Office patterned after the Public Attorney's Office.
The presentation also included DOLE and its attached agencies' accomplishments, budget utilization and the implementation of major programs and projects in previous fiscal years.
Tolentino said that the department would also work toward a "Mas Matatag na DOLE" that is responsive, accountable and digitally enabled while improving the delivery of public services.
The budget hearing forms part of congressional deliberations on the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program.
