The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) on Thursday, released P2.57 billion in assistance under its Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) beneficiaries.

DILEEP, which includes the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and the DoLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), is set to assist 406,781 Filipinos based on the latest tally.

Of this figure, 389,613 are listed under emergency employment through TUPAD, while 17,168 are supported with livelihood grants or kabuhayan packages under DILP.

Calabarzon leads the regions in terms of allocated DILEEP aid with P457.8 million for nearly 76,000 beneficiaries, followed by Western Visayas with P301.9 million for 50,600 beneficiaries, Eastern Visayas with P263.6 million for 45,000 beneficiaries, and Davao Region with P259.6 million for 35,480 beneficiaries.

In addition to the DILEEP payout and awarding, Kadiwa ng Pangulo will roll out 1,170 sites nationwide this Labor Day to bring affordable, fresh goods closer to workers and the public.

Kadiwa Store awarding ceremonies will also take place in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas and Central Visayas.

With the theme “Manggagawang Pilipino, Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad, Sandigan ng mas Matatag na Bagong Pilipinas,” this year’s celebration was marked by nationwide job fairs and other services for the public in partnership with the private sector.

‘Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas’

Meanwhile, the Labor Department’s “Trabaho at Serbisyo Pangkalusugan sa Bagong Pilipinas” employed a total of 1,054 individuals hired on the spot, including 881 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“Our sincere gratitude for your support and patronage of our plans and activities towards a stable, comfortable, and secure a new Philippines,” DoLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.

“Our sincere gratitude also goes to the private sector, especially the participating employers, for their help and job offers for all of us,” Laguesma said, further noting the contribution of the private sector in the successful conduct of the monthly job fairs.

Another highlight of the initiative is the One-Stop-Shop government services, which catered to 3,397 individuals. These services were provided by agencies including the National Bureau of Investigation, Social Security System, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Philippine Statistics Authority, among others.

As part of the job fair event, the Department distributed 250 DILP packages to its beneficiaries.

The “Trabaho at Serbisyo Pangkalusugan sa Bagong Pilipinas” spanned multiple regions in the Philippines, namely in the National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen.

The rollout commenced in Manila on 31 January and continued through various cities and provinces, such as Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Iloilo, Tagum, Dumaguete, Pili, Sta. Rita, Dasmariñas, Biñan, Antipolo, Samar and General Santos City.