MARCH 29, 2026 — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has set aside a hefty ₱1.2 billion to cushion Filipino workers from the fallout of the national energy emergency, a crisis already driving fuel prices to record highs and threatening jobs across industries. With diesel now at ₱130+ per liter and gasoline at ₱90+, the government is scrambling to keep livelihoods afloat.

DOLE’s move comes under Executive Order No. 110, which declared a national energy emergency and rolled out the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT). 

The bulk of the ₱1.2 billion will flow into familiar programs:

• Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) – short-term jobs for displaced workers.
• DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) – small livelihood grants for those trying to rebuild income streams.

Already, ₱753.69 million has been released in just the first quarter of 2026, reaching more than 110,000 workers nationwide. Transport workers, battered by skyrocketing fuel costs, are the first in line for targeted aid. Agriculture, fisheries, and even returning overseas Filipino workers are also on DOLE’s radar for support.

Now, ₱1.2 billion sounds big, but when spread across millions of vulnerable workers, it’s a drop in the bucket. The energy crisis isn’t just about fuel — it’s about the ripple effect on food prices, transport fares, and the survival of small businesses.

The thing is, we are already feeling the squeeze, and this fund is more of a temporary patch than a cure.

The government said, “These programs are in place to support vulnerable workers, including those who may be displaced as a consequence of the current energy emergency.” 

But the question is whether short-term jobs and small grants can truly offset the long-term economic pain.

What most of us are dealing with today are the issues surrounding the daily commute, the rising palengke prices, the looming fear of layoffs. The DOLE fund is a lifeline, yes, but it also highlights how fragile our labor market is when global energy shocks hit home.

The upbeat spin is that, at least, the government isn’t asleep at the wheel. But the sharper truth? This crisis exposes how dependent we are on imported fuel and how little buffer we have when the global market sneezes.

So do you think ₱1.2 billion in aid will be enough to keep Pinoy workers standing strong?

(Image: Department of Labor and Employment - DOLE)