Use livelihood funds, DoLE told

The Commission on Audit has flagged the Department of Labor and Employment over P245.33 million in unused funds intended for its livelihood program. The sum, state auditors said, "could have helped more working poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers."

In its report covering 2022, CoA said it found the unutilized funds that were allotted to the DoLE's Integrated Livelihood Program or Kabuhayan Program.

The Kabuhayan Program is a grant for capacity-building of livelihoods for the working poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers, either for individual or group livelihood projects.

The program had a total appropriation of P1.5 billion, of which P1.19 billion, or 78.82 percent, was utilized. DoLE NCR and its offices in the Ilocos, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas accounted for the unused funds.

Marginalized and landless farmers and fisherfolk, low and minimum wage earners, seasonal and displaced workers, persons with disability, senior citizens, indigents, parents and guardians of child laborers, and victims of armed conflict were all eligible for the program.

The Free Bisikleta livelihood project is a program also under the DILP. Beneficiaries can receive P25,000, including working capital, coverage for micro-insurance, and trainings.

While auditors acknowledged that the DoLE's Kabuhayan Program had mainly accomplished its targets in the regional implementation of the project, they raised concerns about the unused P245.33 million from other regions.

The CoA asked the DoLE to require its program managers to ensure the maximum utilization of allotments that could have helped working poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers.

In response, DoLE said it would adhere to CoA's recommendations.