BORACAY – Availing themselves of government assistance must be “easier and simple” for individuals who were affected by the closure of this famed island resort, according to Labor secretary Silvestre Bello III.
“I want them to submit only a valid ID and certificate of employment,” Bello said on Sunday, citing that the current requirements before getting aid under the Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) of the Labor department are “too many.”
These requirements include an AMP application form, photocopy of certificate of employment, photocopy of any government-issued ID, and proof of Land Bank of the Philippines account.
The Boracay Emergency Employment Program (BEEP) is under the agency’s AMP. It was launched for displaced workers when Boracay was closed off to tourists beginning April 26 to pave the way for the island’s half-year closure.
BEEP aims to provide the workers an integrated and comprehensive assistance package that will mitigate the adverse effects of the island shutdown.
“May kalahating bilyon ang national government para sa displaced workers sa isla ng Boracay,” said Bello. “We are targeting 19,000 workers but as of date, there were only 3,500 registered recipients who availed [themselves of] the assistance.”
The Labor chief added, “Bakit kukonti ang nag-avail ng assistance? Nabalitaan ko napakarami at sobra ang requirements. Palpak na requirements iyan…Huwag masyadong pahirapan ang mga tao. Kailangang makuha nila ang assistance galing sa gobyerno.”
Bello also said that instead of cash cards, recipients will receive cash under the new scheme.
He added that he will issue a department order “in the coming days” to revise the process of the acquiring the assistance.
Under BEEP, displaced and suspended workers receive 50 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in Western Visayas, which totals to P4,250.50 a month for six months.
Retained workers, on the other hand, receive 25 percent of the prevailing minimum wage, or P2,102.75 a month for three months.
The cash aids are deposited in the workers’ Land Bank of the Philippines account. (With reports from PNA, Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
