DBM: Funds available to support DOLE aid for minimum wage workers

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assured the public Friday that contingent funds are in place should the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) seek to extend the provision of financial assistance to minimum wage earners affected by the rising fuel prices. 

Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo said the DOLE was appropriated P21.3 billion for its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, but this was specifically only for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers. 

“I think we will leave that to the DOLE to identify what kind of programs po na pwede nilang ibigay sa ating mga minimum wage workers… Tinitignan na rin po ng DOLE siguro kung papaano. Pero sa ngayon, ito ‘yung ating available na funding,” Toledo said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(I think we will leave it to the DOLE to identify what kind of programs they can make for our minimum wage workers. Maybe the DOLE is already looking into it. But for now, this is our available funding.) 

“But if there is a need for us to release naman, mayroon naman tayong available na pondo. Mayroon tayong mga contingent fund na available naman po diyan, if there is a need for us really to fund that if ever identified by the DOLE para sa ating mga…minimum wage workers,” he added. 

(But if there is a need for us to release funds, we have funds available. We have contingent funds available, if there is a need for us to really fund whichever program the DOLE has identified for our minimum wage workers.) 

Malacañang earlier said the government will study the request for financial assistance to minimum wage earners, the middle class, and government employees who are also affected by  the oil crisis resulting from the Middle East conflict. 

Several labor groups have urged the government to provide monthly subsidies for over 5 million minimum wage earners in the country. 

Aside from the contingency fund, the DBM official that it may also tap the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for other programs identified by agencies aside from the ones currently being implemented. 

“Ito po ay pagtulong sa ating mga (this is to help with our) urgent and new programs that the government will have to implement,” Toledo explained. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News