Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday warned the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that he will block its proposed 2026 budget if the agency fails to improve its performance and remove negligent field inspectors.
“I promise you, Sec. (Bienvenido) Laguesma, idi-defer ko ang budget niyo kapag walang nasibak na pabayang field inspector,” Tulfo said during the Senate Committee on Labor hearing.
Tulfo, the committee’s vice chair, revealed that many manufacturing companies in Metro Manila, which he personally inspected, have been underpaying their workers, with some employees earning as little as ₱280 per day.
“Taas nga tayo ng sahod, pero kulang naman sa implementation. Para tayong naglolokohan dito,” he added.
The senator requested DOLE Secretary Laguesma to submit a list of field inspectors assigned in Metro Manila and the Camanava area, along with the companies they visited and their performance reports. He stressed that this will help determine if inspectors are fulfilling their duties.
“Kung ginagawa ng taga-DOLE ang trabaho nila, nasapul na sana nila ang mga kumpanyang hindi nagpapasahod ng tama,” Tulfo said.
In response, Laguesma assured the committee that he takes Tulfo’s concerns seriously and is committed to addressing the issue.