DOLE allots P690 M for informal workers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allocated P690 million for livelihood programs benefiting around 190,000 informal workers. 

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said they are targeting informal sector workers, including women and unemployed youth, to benefit from the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).

Baldoz said funds for the DILP would come from the department’s budget in the General Appropriations Act.

She said different government agencies are working together to improve the working conditions of informal workers nationwide.

According to Baldoz, the government aims to reduce the number of informal workers, such as self-employed and unpaid family workers.

“We need to ensure that the livelihood projects are contributing to the growth of the communities and the local economies,” she said.

This year, Baldoz said DOLE will get a share of the Bottom-up-Budget (BUB) intended for the poorest of the poor in 1,200 identified municipalities.

“For 2014, the DOLE’s BUB is pegged at P326.843 million and from this we will provide short-term employment to 200,000 students and out-of-school youth nationwide under the  Special Program for the Employment of Students,” she said.

Baldoz said SPES has a budget of P500 million.

DSWD gets P31-M Australian grant

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will use the P31-million technical assistance grant from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) to enhance its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for beneficiaries enrolled under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).