Workers in the private sector displaced by the community quarantine enforced in different parts of the country stand to receive a P5,000 lump-sum financial assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), according to Senator Joel Villanueva.
Villanueva said the amount will go a long way for workers, especially those who fall under the category of “no work, no pay,” who are observing the quarantine in their homes while the government contains the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
“Our workers continue to push their luck by leaving their houses to go to work because they have to provide for their families.”
“We credit the labor department for its swift response to the issue,” said the veteran legislator, who wrote to DOLE recently to access its emergency employment programs.
“Our workers continue to push their luck by leaving their houses to go to work because they have to provide for their families.”
“Sa pamamagitan ng financial assistance na ito, hinihiling po natin sa ating mga manggagawa na manatili na lamang sa kanilang mga tahanan habang ipinapatupad ang quarantine sa kani-kanilang mga lugar. Mas malaki po ang gagastusin natin kapag nahawaan tayo ng sakit na COVID-19,” added the chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development.
Department Order No. 209 covers the guidelines on DOLE’s COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), which the seasoned lawmaker urged the department to tap to provide assistance to thousands of displaced workers.
“Affected workers, regardless of employment status, will be given P5,000 as a one-time unconditional financial assistance in lump-sum.”
Workers covered by the order include retained workers having reduced working hours due to the implementation of flexible working arrangements by employers, and workers whose employment has been suspended due to the temporary shutdown of their employer’s operation, according to the guidelines.
Affected workers, regardless of employment status, will be given P5,000 as a one-time unconditional financial assistance in lump-sum, the guidelines stated. In addition, DOLE will also give affected workers employment facilitation services to match their skills with available domestic or overseas jobs.
The assistance, which will be given to the beneficiary through their payroll accounts, will be given within two weeks upon the receipt of their application by DOLE regional offices. Employers must also submit a report on their efforts to scale down their operations due to COVID-19 such as adopting flexible working arrangements like work from home, reduced working hours, among others.
The senator expressed hope the department would also act on his request to expedite the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD) to further cushion the impact of the quarantine among workers.
TUPAD is an emergency employment program implemented in communities for displaced workers, seasonal workers, and even the underemployed. Beneficiaries work for a minimum 10 days but not exceeding 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed.
He suggested to let TUPAD beneficiaries provide support services to law enforcers manning checkpoints “as long as TUPAD beneficiaries are provided personal protective equipment and training.” Villanueva is also open to the idea of letting TUPAD beneficiaries help in the disinfection of public places, with the caveat that safety gear is available.