33
Philippines has existing laws and policies "sufficient in principle" for ratification,
there are provisions that "need improvement and practices that need to be
implemented efficiently for the sustainability of LLCS in line with international
standards."34
The first four provisions that need specific issuances revolve around the
recommendatory function of the inspection system and the mandatory publication
of annual reports. The latter seven provisions involve additional labor inspectors
and more responsibilities, training, qualified technical experts for technical
inspection, power to enter establishments, and penalties.35
Regarding CAMP and TUPAD, several assessments have already been
conducted. A paper by Wilson Fortaleza mentions how the Philippine State
embarks on limited public employment programs such as TUPAD in moments of
severe economic disruption, suggesting that the government should pursue a
comprehensive public employment program in general.36 DOLE has also
announced that it was looking into irregularities in the program that include noncompliance
with
TUPAD
guidelines,
"unliquidated
fund
transfers,
unavailable/invalid/incorrect numbers, and no contact details of the beneficiaries",
and ""unsubstantiated claims and lack of documentary requirements," as well as
"insufficient monitoring and validation of the beneficiaries, money remittance
centers,
and
project proponents'" among others.37
The ILS also published a paper on client experience and perception of the CAMP
program.38 It found that while most respondents were familiar with the program
and had received the promised assistance, the amount was sorely inadequate to
cushion workers from the impact of COVID-19 or help facilitate re-employment.
Among the recommendations forwarded by the paper include exploring programs
34
Joyce Ann S. Lumactud, Gap Analysis of ILO Convention No. 81 (Labor Inspection), at viii,
available at https://ils.dole.gov.ph/rights-at-work/2016-rw/gap-analysis-of-ilo-convention-no-81labour-inspection (last accessed November 5, 2022).
35 Id.
36 Wilson Fortaleza, Greening the Philippine pandemic response: A Labor Agenda on Recovery
Through Green Employment in Rebuilding (LARGER) Programs, at 10, available at
https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/philippinen/17278.pdf (last accessed November 5, 2022).
37 Mel Matthew Doctor, DOLE reviewing ‘deficiencies’ in TUPAD program, July 19, 2022, GMA
NEWS, available at https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/838584/dole-reviewingdeficiencies-in-tupad-program/story/ (last accessed November 12, 2022)
38 Joanne Camille P. Bejarin, et. al., Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program 1: A Rapid
Assessment Of Client Experience, available at https://ils.dole.gov.ph/downloads/file/721-covid-19adjustment-measures-program-1-a-rapid-assessment-of-client-experience (last accessed
November 12, 2022).