Senate panel approves DOLE's P25.89-billion budget for 2023

The Senate finance subcommittee on Friday approved the Department of Labor and Employment's proposed P25.899-billion budget for 2023.

The requested budget  includes P14.884 billion for Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program to cater to 1.773 million beneficiaries; P2.5 billion for DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program to help 79,836 beneficiaries; and P2.374 billion for Employees Compensation Program for 327,890 beneficiaries, among others.

Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benvidez said the DOLE is seeking to implement digitalization program, approval of a rightsizing plan where there will be strengthening of field operations and upgrading of highly-specialized positions, and maintain relations with international bodies and setting up of strategic overseas posts.

The 2023 proposed budget of the department is P11 billion or 29.9% percent lower compared to it 2022 budget.

Of the P25.899 billion, P22.214 billion will be allocated to the Office of the Secretary and P3.695 billion will proceed to the attached agencies.

Under the proposed budget, the Professional Regulations Commission will get P1.6 billion, National Labor Relations Commission will receive P1.382 billion, National Conciliation and Mediation Board will have P275,591, the National Wages and Productivity Commission will receive P271,402, and the Institute for Labor Studies will get P55,586.—LDF, GMA News