THE Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) has said its proposed P45.284-billion budget for 2025 to be submitted to the Senate for final approval will enable the department to fulfil its mandate of promoting gainful employment opportunities, to protect and advance workers’ rights and welfare, and to maintain industrial peace.
Under the department’s proposed budget, 76 percent or P34.357 billion is allotted for maintenance and other operating expenses, 16 percent or P7.363 billion for personnel services, and eight percent, or P3.562 billion for capital outlay.
Of the total budget, P21.802 billion is allocated for the Office of the Secretary. Among its attached agencies, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority gets the biggest chunk at P18.5 billion, followed by the Professional Regulations Commission with P2.707 billion, the National Labor Relations Commission at P1.496 billion, National Conciliation and Mediation Board, P329.274 million, National Wages and Productivity Commission, P351.209 million, and Institute for Labor Studies, P95.564 million.
“The government can ensure that the Department has the resources it needs to empower our workforce, protect our laborers, and build an economy that lifts everyone up,” according to Parañaque Rep. Gustavo Suarez Tambunting.
Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said DOLE’s proposed P45 billion budget for 2025 was lower by P15 billion from its previous P61 billion budget under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
But Laguesma gave assurance that the proposed budget “is intended to drive social and economic transformation that will foster prosperity, inclusive growth, and stability” in support of the Labor and Employment Plan (LEP) 2023-2028 and the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act.
“Our mandate is clear: create jobs, protect workers’ rights, and promote industrial peace. And, with your all-out support for our 2025 proposed budget, we can continue fulfilling these responsibilities to build a fairer, more inclusive, and productive labor market for the benefit of every Filipino,” he added.
