THE flagship program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to assist displaced informal sector workers is now facing an over 40-percent budget cut next year as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic.
Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma disclosed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has decided to reduce their budget for their Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) to just P14.88 billion in 2023 from P25.87 billion this year.
“It was reduced because we are now reaching the so-called new normal. TUPAD is a temporary employment assistance, which was given during the pandemic,” Laguesma said in a recent interview with CNN Philippines.
Under TUPAD, beneficiaries are paid daily minimum wage for light public works like street sweeping, debris cleaning, and declogging works, which lasts for 10 to 90 days.
Aside from TUPAD, other DOLE programs which will also get a similar significant budget cut next year is its Adjustment Measures Program (AMP), with P174-million reduction.
AMP provides a one-time P5,000 cash aid to displaced workers.
New normal
With the reopening of the economy, the labor official said they expect more workers will be able to return to work.
The budget for TUPAD and AMP was significantly increased since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which caused massive economic disruption and mass labor displacement.
In the proposed 2023 National Expenditure Program of DBM, DOLE’s P36.94 billion budget this year will be reduced to only P25.9 billion. A big chunk of the reduced amount comes from TUPAD and AMP.
During the budget hearing of the House of Representatives earlier this month, some lawmakers proposed increasing the budget for TUPAD since its implementation greatly benefitted their constituents.
Laguesma said they will be ready to work with whatever amount they will be given by Congress in the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
He noted that in case they will need an additional budget for their programs, they are ready to work with the private sector or other government agencies to get it.