DOLE hopeful of resuming CAMP aid to displaced formal sector workers
Published Apr 19, 2020 12:00 am
By Leslie Ann Aquino
Not all hope is lost for workers needing government aid.
The Department of Labor and Employment said it is seeing the possibility of resuming its cash assistance to formal sector workers, as it cited efforts by lawmakers to pump additional funding to the COVID Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) that provides a P5,000 one-time assistance to workers affected by the national emergency due to COVID-19.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III
(ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “We are hopeful that some positive developments are coming along the way for our displaced workers,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement. “We are grateful to Senators (Joel) Villanueva and (Bong) Go for their unwavering support in helping our workers tide over during this health crisis,” he added. Last week, DOLE announced that it has stopped accepting requests for assistance under CAMP as the program's P1.6 billion budget is near depletion due to the volume of applications received. According to DOLE, as of April 17, the number of displaced workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic stood at 1,696,814 from 63,335 reporting establishments nationwide. Of that number, the Labor department said more than 1.2 million workers were affected by temporary closures, while over 550,000 of them are on alternative work arrangements like reduced workdays, rotation, forced leave, and telecommuting. The highest displacement was recorded in Metro Manila with about 570,523 workers, followed by Central Luzon at 274,910, Calabarzon with 123,687, Davao region at 100,275, and Region 10 with 94,101, followed by Region 2 at 86,467, Central Visayas with 68,250, Cordillera region at 61,200, Region 6 with 59,548, and the Bicol region with 57,205. MIMAROPA recorded 51,167 workers and CARAGA, 36,390. The areas with the least affected workers are Region 8 at 33,649, Region 1 with 32,017, Region 9 at 30,530, and Region 12 at 17,895. So far, DOLE said, a total of 264,154 workers were extended the cash assistance amounting to P1.320 billion. "This leaves the assistance fund a small balance of less than P300 million as of April 18," it said. Aside from CAMP, the Labor department also provides assistance to informal sectors under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) - Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfecting/Sanitation Project. DOLE said 235,949 informal sector workers have so far benefited from the program.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III(ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “We are hopeful that some positive developments are coming along the way for our displaced workers,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement. “We are grateful to Senators (Joel) Villanueva and (Bong) Go for their unwavering support in helping our workers tide over during this health crisis,” he added. Last week, DOLE announced that it has stopped accepting requests for assistance under CAMP as the program's P1.6 billion budget is near depletion due to the volume of applications received. According to DOLE, as of April 17, the number of displaced workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic stood at 1,696,814 from 63,335 reporting establishments nationwide. Of that number, the Labor department said more than 1.2 million workers were affected by temporary closures, while over 550,000 of them are on alternative work arrangements like reduced workdays, rotation, forced leave, and telecommuting. The highest displacement was recorded in Metro Manila with about 570,523 workers, followed by Central Luzon at 274,910, Calabarzon with 123,687, Davao region at 100,275, and Region 10 with 94,101, followed by Region 2 at 86,467, Central Visayas with 68,250, Cordillera region at 61,200, Region 6 with 59,548, and the Bicol region with 57,205. MIMAROPA recorded 51,167 workers and CARAGA, 36,390. The areas with the least affected workers are Region 8 at 33,649, Region 1 with 32,017, Region 9 at 30,530, and Region 12 at 17,895. So far, DOLE said, a total of 264,154 workers were extended the cash assistance amounting to P1.320 billion. "This leaves the assistance fund a small balance of less than P300 million as of April 18," it said. Aside from CAMP, the Labor department also provides assistance to informal sectors under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) - Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfecting/Sanitation Project. DOLE said 235,949 informal sector workers have so far benefited from the program.