BACOLOD City – A total of 20,006 Western Visayan workers displaced by community quarantine restrictions brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic received P5,000 relief assistance each from the government.
As of May 4, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it has already disbursed more than P100 million worth of financial assistance to workers of 1,061 establishments in Region 6.
The recipients are workers from Iloilo Province, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras, Iloilo City and Bacolod City affected by flexible working arrangements and temporary closure amid the COVID-19 crisis.
DOLE noted that qualified employees received the assistance through the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP).
The DOLE-6 earlier announced that the notice of approval for batches 26 to 42 has already been uploaded.
DOLE Department Order 209 dated March 17 said the one-time financial assistance shall be provided to affected workers in a lump sum, non-conditional, regardless of employment status.
The CAMP initiative is the labor agency’s safety net that seeks to provide financial support to affected workers as a measure to mitigate the adverse economic impact and reduction of income.
Meanwhile, the DOLE-6 also released P4.735 million in financial assistance to beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
As of May 1, a total of 12,576 beneficiaries have been approved to avail of the program.
TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.(PNA/PN)
