The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now looking for funds that it can use as source for "ayuda" or cash aid to workers that would be affected by the impending imposition of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in some parts of the country, including the National Capital Region (NCR).
"Ang alam ko po ay napag-usapan na po ito kasi may diniscuss na po sa amin ang aming kalihim, Si Sec. Bebot Bello (What I know is the cash aid has been discussed with us by our secretary, Sec. Bebot Bello), Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said in an interview on the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, August 2.
"Napag-usapan po namin na maghanap ng available funding kung mayroon po sa ating GAA para naman po matulungan po natin ang mga maaapektuhan nating manggagawa (We talked about looking for available funding in our GAA in order to help the workers who would be affected)," he said.
By "GAA", Benavidez is referring to DOLE's budget allocation from the national government for the year 2021.
Asked what type of assistance displaced workers from the ECQ can expect, Benavidez said: "Ito po ay inaaral pa po namin kung saan po namin huhugutin ang pondo, dito po ba sa aming present GAA or kailangang mag-request kami sa DBM (We're still studying where to source funds from, whether it's from our present GAA or if we need to request funds from DBM)."
However, the DOLE official pointed out that they have mechanisms under the current GAA that allows them to assist vulnerable workers, such as the agency's flagship Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
Benavidez said DOLE recently made cash distributions up north via TUPAD.
The ECQ will be implemented between August 6 and 20 as a preemptive move against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), particularly its more aggressive Delta variant.