DOLE rolls out aid for workers affected by COVID-19 crisis

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Workers in the private sector who are affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak will receive financial support and employment facilitation courtesy of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 6.

DOLE has rolled out its COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) to ease the impact of the community quarantine and other protocols implemented to fight COVID-19.

DOLE-6 regional director Cyril Ticao said affected workers who will qualify for the program will receive a one-time financial support worth P5,000.

“Under this program, affected workers will receive a one-time financial support of P5,000 in lump sum, non-conditional, regardless of their employment status who are affected by the flexible work arrangements or temporary closure brought by the COVID-19 crisis,” he said in a press conference on Monday.

Aside from the financial support, the affected workers will be provided access to available job opportunities suitable to their qualifications through job matching and referral placement services.

Micro, small and medium enterprises will be priorized.

To avail of the program, interested applicants should secure documentary requirements such as establishment report on COVID-19 form and company payroll for the month prior to the implementation of the flexi-work arrangements or temporary closure.

The establishment report on COVID-19 form can be downloaded from the DOLE-6 website ro6.dole.gov.ph.

Companies are also required to submit the bank account details of their respective affected employees.

Requirements can be submitted through the email addresses where their company is located:

doleiloilocamp@gmail.com for Iloilo;

dolenegroscamp@gmail.com for Negros Occidental;

doleaklancamp@gmail.com for Aklan;

dolecapizcamp@gmail.com for Capiz;

doleantiquecamp@gmail.com for Antique; and

doleguimarascamp@gmail.com for Guimaras.

The labor department will evaluate the applications within three working days from receipt and will notify the applicant within three working days through e-mail if their application is approved or denied.

The agency will issue the financial support directly to the beneficiary’s payroll account through bank transfer within two weeks upon receipt.

In Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas is rolling out the cash for work program for jeepney drivers, pedicab drivers, and tricycle drivers who are affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

“Galibot to subong ang aton tawo, gapreparar kita para sa cash for work aton lang ni ya. Aton initiative ini subong para sa mga nadulaan trabaho. We are preparing biskan pila lang para makahatag kita sa mga nadula-an ubra,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Personnel of the city government are now identifying workers from the informal sector to avail of the cash for work program.

The mayor added that he will look into the possibility of including waiters of restaurants and hotels who are also affected by protocols implemented due to COVID-19.