By Leslie Ann Aquino With the number of reported displaced workers now close to 500,000, the labor department said it is speeding up the release of financial assistance to workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III
(Keith Bacongco / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has directed the department's regional offices to relax the requirements in the processing of assistance, and the key implementers of their programs to likewise relax requirements and exercise flexibility in the processing of establishment reports for the release of assistance. "There is no substitute to the expeditious release of the money to workers who should be benefiting from the government assistance by now,” Bello said in a statement. “All those affected should be given the necessary help, so let’s relax the requirements.” The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) administers the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD)-Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko (#BKBK) to aid formal and informal sector workers during the period of the national health emergency. According to DOLE, as of March 27, 9,028 establishments reported 317,171 of their workers were displaced due to temporary closures or were under flexible work arrangements. Preliminary field reports also revealed that another 117,890 informal sector workers were also affected. DOLE said an initial P2 billion has been made available for the programs, with another P5 billion eyed for the remainder of the emergency period. A separate P1.5 billion cash assistance package has also been set aside for affected overseas Filipino workers estimated to reach about 70,000.