One with government’s agenda of poverty reduction and inclusive development, the Department of Labor and Employment, through the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns and DOLE regional and provincial offices are implementing the Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs (DILEEP).
The DILEEP seeks to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce the vulnerability to risks of the working poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers either through emergency employment, and promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises.
DILEEP has two components: (a) Kabuhayan or the Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP); and (b) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) or Emergency Employment Program.
Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said former members of the Abu Sayyaf, Maute, Dawlah Islamiya Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Turaife group, and other violent extremists’ groups who have abandoned their extremist ways, are qualified for the DILP, including their immediate family members.
Families of recovering drug dependents, applicants of Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-Asa program, and dependents of casualties in legitimate police and military operations, are also eligible to avail of assistance under DILP, subject to guidelines, rules, and regulations.
DILP is a flagship program of the DOLE that provides grant assistance for capacity-building on livelihood and entrepreneurial ventures for vulnerable and marginalized workers.
DOLE Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra said supplemental guidelines have been issued on the implementation of the DILP to expand its covered beneficiaries in order to reach out to more members of our society for a truly inclusive development.
The new eligible for DILP program under DOLE Administrative Order 126 s. 2021 include individuals who will implement the Free Bisikleta or Freebis program which is an alternative employment or livelihood opportunity through small vending or delivery business.
The maximum amount of assistance for the individual Free Bisikleta livelihood project is increased from P20,000 to P25,000 inclusive of capital, coverage to micro-insurance, and training.
Parents of child laborers who are beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, provided they have been profiled and endorsed by child labor focal person; family members of probationers/parolees, regardless of previous cases, and indigenous people who are also beneficiaries of 4Ps, could also be assisted by DOLE through the DILP.
The new DILP qualifiers may now join the roster of beneficiaries that include self-employed workers who are unable to earn sufficient income, unpaid family workers, low-wage and seasonal workers, workers displaced or to be displaced, marginalized and landless farmers, marginalized fisherfolk, women, and youth, persons with disability, senior citizens, indigenous peoples, victims of armed conflicts, rebel returnees, and parents of child laborers.
Organizations composed of 15 to 25 members can avail of the micro-livelihood maximum grant assistance of P250,000.
Organizations with 26 to 50 members can avail of a maximum grant assistance of P500,000 under the small livelihood category, and those with more than 50 members can avail of a maximum grant assistance of P1 million medium livelihood project.
In support to the vision of a drug free Philippines, the DOLE have required all establishments to adopt the drug-free workplace policy and programs pursuant to Department Order (DO) 53-03, or the Guidelines for the Implementationof a Drug-Free Workplace Policies and Programs for the Private Sector.
The drug-free workplace policies and program is not about a company apprehendingemployees using drugsbut preventing drug use in the workplace. The drugtesting is about the company’s legal and moral obligation and responsibility to keep its workplace a safe and healthy environment for all its employees and clients.
Pursuant to DO 53-03, the Bureau of Labor Relations regularly conducts anti-drug abuse and general labor standards seminar for union leaders and employers. Under the program, employers can subject their employees to mandatory drug test for cause testing and post-accident testing. Those tested positive for drugs are sent to rehabilitation.
Following rehabilitation, the company’s assessment team may recommend to the employer the resumption of the employee’s job if he or she poses no serious danger to other employees in the workplace.
On top of this policy, the DOLE will assist those who have undergone rehabilitation and those outside workplaces. So as to help former drug dependents reintegrate and recover, the agency extends livelihood and emergency employment opportunities under the DOLE aid programs.
April 25, 2024
