Loren vows to expand gov’t livelihood programs
DEPUTY Speaker and three-term Senator Loren Legarda has vowed to expand government’s livelihood programs to better address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Filipino workers.
Legarda specifically proposed the institutionalization of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) if elected senator in the May 9 polls.
“We will make sure that our government’s livelihood programs like the DOLE’s TUPAD program will become a law,” Legarda vowed during Friday’s episode of COMELEC E-Rally that features senatorial candidates.
TUPAD is government’s program for workers displaced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic the past two years. The program, however, has limited budget under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws and is not a regular government program funded under the annual national budget.
Legarda proposed the consolidation of TUPAD with other employment programs like the community empowerment for science and technology of the Department of Science and Technology, shared services facilities of the Department of Trade and Industry, and the sustainable livelihood programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to come up with a single livelihood program law.
She also cited the need to empower local government units to bring government services closer to the people.
“We should strengthen the LGUs and barangays so they can have active roles in social services, especially in allocating funds for employment and livelihood,” Legarda pointed out.
In the same forum, the Antique congresswoman also vowed to further strengthen the country’s education sector.
In doing so, she said she would push for proper implementation of the free college education program, which she co-authored and funded when she served as chairperson of the Senate committee on finance.
“We will also strengthen the education sector by implementing the “one student, one tablet” law and further increase salaries and benefits of our teachers,” she vowed.
Lastly, Legarda promised to push legislative measures to strengthen the nation’s disaster and calamity preparedness to prevent the extent of damages seen during Typhoons Ondoy, Yolanda and Odette.
