The government has allotted Php 1.3 billion to aid workers affected by the ongoing enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
The labor department said around 250,000 workers will benefit from the said fund, each receiving 5,000 regardless of their employment status.
The department also added an employer cannot force an employee to report to work during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
“Kahit hindi sila magreport pwede nilang icharge itong kanilang absence either sa mga leave credits nila kung mayroon pa (Even if they do not report, they can charge their absence either on their leave credits, if they still have something left). Ngayon kung wala, DOLE na ang mananagot sa kanila (If none, the DOLE will cover for them),” DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello III said.
The DOLE reiterated that informal workers will also be given assistance. The agency will implement emergency employment by creating “Barangay ko, Bahay ko” program in which informal workers can earn money.
“Kailangan po natin na magsanitize sa ating kapaligiran, sa ating tahanan, sa ating komunidad at ito po ay may karampatang po na wage na ibibigay po sa loob ng sampung araw (We need to sanitize our environment, our home, our community, and this [job] has an appropriate wage to be given within 10 days),” DOLE ASec. Dominique Tutay said.
Meanwhile, the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) has continued its operation in rescuing street dwellers. Its team went to Roxas Boulevard and asked street dwellers to come with them instead of staying in the streets, while street vendors were asked to go home.
The MDSW said rescued street dwellers will be brought to the Delpan Sports Complex where they will be provided clothes, food, and comfortable beddings.
“Marami diyan hindi taga Maynila pero wala na tayong magagawa, hindi na natin pwedeng piliin ang mga tao sa mga ganitong sitwasyon (Many of them are non-Manila residents, but we cannot do anything about it. We cannot choose people [to help] in this situation),” MDSW Chief Re Fugoso said. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
