As the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) winds up its social amelioration programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has reportedly distributed cash aid to over 1 million workers nationwide. According to the agency’s report to the President, it has reached formal and informal sectors, including overseas Filipino workers.
The numbers, based on the report, are approximately 1,059,387. The agency also disbursed PHP 4.44 billion of its regular budget and a separate PHP 1.05 billion in an emergency fund.
It also shared that its previous programs to mitigate the adverse economic effects of the health crisis on low-income workers have concluded. These programs include the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, Barangay Ko Bahay Ko (TUPAD #BKBK). OFWs, however, can still apply for the AKAP program, which grants PHP 10,000 or USD 200 cash assistance. Currently, the said program for OFWs has reached 74 percent of the qualified beneficiaries. There are currently 103,467 OFWs listed as beneficiaries who are mostly composed of repatriated, displaced, and stranded workers in the country due to the community quarantine.
To reach the remaining 368,703 OFWs who had sought the cash aid, the department would need additional PHP 2 billion in its emergency funds.
As of May 5, 2020, a total of 618,722 workers in the formal sector from 31,972 micro, small and medium enterprises received the PHP 5,000 cash assistance under CAMP. Additional 35,723 workers are expected to benefit from the cash aid as the program wraps up its operations this week. The program started to accept applicants on March 23, 2020 but was halted on April 15 because of funding issues.
Meanwhile, there are 337,198 workers in the informal sector benefited from the 10-day emergency employment of the TUPAD BKBK program. Those who were hired were paid the minimum wage based in their respective areas. PHP 1.348 billion from the department’s regular budget were disbursed to finance the program. Activities involved in the program include the disinfection and sanitation of the beneficiaries’ dwellings and immediate vicinity to conform with the physical distancing protocol and to prevent the spread of the virus.
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