Laguesma unfazed by DoLE budget cuts

Despite looming reductions in the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE) 2026 budget, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma remains confident the agency can fulfill its mandate of stabilizing the labor sector and expanding job and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum hosted by veteran journalist Marichu Villanueva in Malate, Manila, Laguesma explained that budget cuts are part of government efforts to channel more resources to priority agencies driving national development.

He stressed that the bigger picture is achieving middle-class economy status before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. steps down in 2028.Laguesma also supported a larger allocation for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), citing its crucial role in building a skilled workforce by strengthening partnerships with industry, labor, and educational institutions to improve technical-vocational training. TRACY CABRERA