MANILA—Senate Committee on Labor and Employment Chairperson Sen. Idol Raffy Tulfo has called for sufficient funding to government agencies employing Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) workers so they can be regularized and receive proper benefits.

During the Senate Plenary Debates on the Proposed 2026 National Budget on November 18, Tulfo highlighted the contradiction in government labor practices. “Palagi nating isinisigaw ang NO TO ENDO o end of contract pero ang gobyerno ang numero unong violator nito,” he said.

He added, “Napakaraming kawani sa gobyerno ang 10-15 years nang employed, at ang iba ay pa-retire na, pero job order at kontraktwal pa rin ang status. Dapat bigyan ng sapat na budget ang mga ahensyang nangangailangan ng pondo para gawing regular ang mga kawani nila.”

Finance Committee Chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian supported Tulfo’s call, citing budgetary constraints and qualification standards as common issues.

To address these concerns, Gatchalian noted that the Government Optimization Program (GOP) under RA 12231 will soon be implemented. The program provides ₱10 billion to create new plantilla positions for JO and COS workers and adjust qualification standards, enabling them to become regular government employees.