At least 12 programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be affected as the agency’s proposed budget of Php 20 billion has been cut to Php14.42 billion in 2020.
This is 12% or Php1.94 billion lesser than DOLE’s current budget of Php16.36 billion.
Part of the budget cuts will affect the agency’s on-site welfare services for OFWs wherein Php108 million has been reduced for 2020’s budget, marking the total on-site services down to P1.27 billion, as per a report from Rappler.
Also affected by the decrease is the budget for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad), from P5.05 billion in 2019 to P3.88 billion on the proposed budget next year.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said that they wanted to propose Php 20-billion budget next year but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reduced the said proposal citing the ability of the agency to maximize its financial resources.
