The Department of Labor and Employment aims to release cash assistance to the remaining beneficiaries of the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) next week.
In an online forum, Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said they intend to pay more than half of the 1.4-million beneficiaries under CAMP by next week.
“By next week, we will be reaching more than 50 percent – 60 to 70 percent. That will be a good batting average if we look at the data from the past three days,” Tutay said.
“We’re doing our best to give on time, especially that Christmas is approaching,” Tutay added.
The official said that as of Thursday, December 3, they were able to release the cash aid for 350,000 workers in the formal sector.
Under CAMP, each beneficiary gets a one-time cash subsidy amounting to P5,000.
Moreover, more than 500,000 informal workers will benefit from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.
According to Tutay, the department has already released about P3 billion to regional offices while an additional subsidy of P2 billion to P3 billion will be released for the TUPAD program.
“Kung mag P6 billion iyan, more than 800,000 mabibigyan ng TUPAD (If we are able to released P6 billion, more than 800,000 workers will receive cash aid under TUPAD). Priority is the calamity stricken areas like Bicol Region, Regions 4A, 4B, 3 and 1,” Tutay said.
Tutay said the deadline for payouts is set on December 19. He said the department aims to release the fund to regional offices until December 10.