The Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has proposed a P47.057 billion budget for 2027, with employment facilitation, skills development, youth employment, livelihood support and worker protection among its key priorities.
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino presented the proposed budget and programmes before the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee I on September 30, outlining measures aimed at expanding access to jobs, preparing workers for changing workplace demands and improving labour justice and social protection.
“As we enter 2027, our direction is clear: bring jobs closer to our people, prepare workers for the future, and deliver faster and better services,” Tolentino said.
Of the proposed allocation, P20.954 billion is earmarked for DOLE and P20.895 billion for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Other allocations include P2.694 billion for the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), P1.733 billion for the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), P369.242 million for the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), P332.463 million for the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), and P78.794 million for the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS).
Focus on skills and employment support
DOLE also outlined proposed innovations under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) programme. The initiatives, SkillPass, Trabahong-Dagat and Sagip Trabaho, are designed to broaden access to skills development, livelihood and employment support, as well as assistance for workers facing job displacement.
Youth employability and livelihood programmes will also remain part of the department’s priorities. These include TUPAD, the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), Government Internship Program (GIP), Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), and JobStart Philippines.
The department is also seeking additional funding to strengthen labour justice services. It has requested P25 million more for the Labor Attorneys’ Office (LAO) to expand legal counselling, representation and referral services for workers.
Another P75 million has been requested for the National Academy for Labor Justice (NALJ) to expand training for labour arbiters and other practitioners, covering labour justice education, professional development, policy research and knowledge management.
Wage adjustments also discussed
The Senate briefing also covered recently issued wage increases in Metro Manila and Central Visayas, alongside planned wage adjustments in other regions, including CALABARZON and Central Luzon.
The proposed P47.057 billion budget is around P14.1 billion lower than DOLE’s P61.2 billion allocation for 2026. Following the Senate briefing, the proposed 2027 funding package was submitted for plenary consideration.
Tolentino said the department would focus on ensuring that public funds translate into tangible outcomes for workers and their families.
“With the support of this committee and the honorable Senate, we will ensure that every peso entrusted to the Department delivers concrete and meaningful results for Filipino workers and their families,” he said.