DOLE to provide P5,000 cash assistance for quarantine-displaced workers in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced that private workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon can avail of cash assistance from the government.

People wearing mask amid outbreak of coronavirus disease
People wearing mask amid outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

In a statement released by DOLE on Tuesday, it said that workers from the private sector can apply for a P5,000 cash assistance to help ease the financial burden caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III signed the Department Order 209, named as "COVID-19 Adjustment Program Measure" or CAMP. It is a financial assistance worth ₱1.3-billion total for around 250,000 workers whose companies were forced to temporarily shut down or implemented flexible work arrangements.

The P5,000 cash grants will be given one-time to employees, regardless of their status.

"The financial assistance may be used to cover remaining unpaid leaves of affected workers. A one-time financial assistance equivalent to P5,000 shall be provided to affected workers in lump sum, non-conditional, regardless of employment status," the department order read.

Workers who are interested to apply for the grant must course their applications to their employers. Once their employer's application to DOLE is approved, the cash assistance will be credited directly to the employee's bank accounts within two weeks.

The DOLE will issue a "notice of completion" to the company as proof that they already availed the cash assistance.

Aside from the private workers, DOLE also assured that they have a budget for the emergency employment of informal workers.

Secretary Bello said the agency has allocated at least P180 million in emergency employment funds under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program dedicated to over 18,000 informal workers.

"The initial allocation for TUPAD will pay for barangay workers to disinfect the communities, while the CAMP represents financial assistance to the quarantine-displaced workers," Bello said.

— Sally, The Summit Express



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