The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) disclosed that workers are the most affected by the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but the government did its best in assisting those who lost their jobs amidst the crisis.
In the yearend presscon of the DOLE, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III stated that they have distributed cash assistance to affected workers.
Over ₱3 billion were allotted for more than 650,000 workers in the private sector under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) while ₱1.5B were given to over 400,000 informal workers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
Moreover, Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong program (AKAP) with a fund of ₱3.5B under the Bayanihan 1 was distributed to 350,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Under the Bayanihan 2, the DOLE set ₱16.4B for all its programs and the Emergency Repatriation Program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). 70% of the said fund has already been disbursed.
The DOLE also shared that ₱1B fund was given to the Tabang OFW program where a child of a returning OFW who is still a student or about to enter college will receive a one-time aid of ₱30,000. The agency aims to reward 32,000 beneficiaries under the program. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
