The outbreak of the coronovirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) constitutes an emergency that threatens public health and national security which requires a whole-of-government response including the implementation of urgent and critical measures to mitigate its effects and impact to the community and prevent serious disruption of the functioning of government and the community.
In response to this crisis, Department of Labor and Employment Sec. Silvestre H. Bello III issued Department Order (DO) 209, s. 2020 or “Guidelines on the adjustment measures program for affected workers due to coronavirus disease 2019.”
The Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) offers financial support to affected workers in private establishments that have adopted flexible work arrangements or temporary closure during the Covid-19 pandemic. It shall cover workers in private establishments affected by the Covid-19 pandemic from January to April 14, unless extended by the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Large establishments are highly encouraged to cover the full wages of employees within the one-month community quarantine.
Under the CAMP, affected workers will be provided with financial relief necessary to mitigate the immediate adverse economic impacts of the pandemic. Relative to DOLE Labor Advisory 11, s. 2020, which states that workers’ leaves of absence during the quarantine period are to be charged against their leave credits, the financial assistance may be used to cover remaining unpaid leaves of affected workers. A one-time financial assistance of P5,000 shall be provided to affected workers in lump-sum, non-conditional, regardless of employment status. Affected workers can avail of the financial assistance through their employers, which are micro, small, or medium enterprises (MSMEs).
As explained by DOLE-Cordillera Director Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman during the Kapihan sa Baguio on March 19 to the members of the IATF, the applicant must be a private establishment that has implemented flexible work arrangements or temporary closures due to the Covid-19.
The affected establishments must submit a report on the Covid-19 pursuant to Labor Advisory 9 s. 2020 and the company payroll for the month prior to the implementation of flexible work arrangement or temporary closure.
What are the procedures? Applications with complete documentary requirements shall be submitted online to [email protected] then the applications shall be evaluated by concerned DOLE regional office within three working days from receipt. A notice of approval or notice of denial, depending on the status of evaluation shall be issued to the applicant by the concerned DOLE regional office within three working days through e-mail.
An applicant may be denied if the impact is ineligible, they misrepresented facts in the application, or submitted falsified or tampered document.
For approved application, the DOLE regional office shall issue the financial support directly to the beneficiary’s payroll account through bank transfer within two weeks upon receipt. Beneficiaries who received the financial support are considered to have completed the CAMP. A notice of completion shall be issued to the affected establishment within three working days through e-mail.
As for the underemployed, self-employed, and displaced marginalized workers, they will be covered by the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers #Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko (TUPAD #BKBK).
DOLE DO 210, s. 2020, said workers will be provided with emergency employment to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 and those who have lost their livelihood or whose earnings were affected due to the enhanced community quarantine against the Covid-19.
The workers will be compensated for 10 days of working on disinfection/sanitation of their houses/dwellings and the immediate vicinity of their houses. The following package of services shall be provided to the Tupad beneficiaries: Payment of wages equivalent to 100 percent of the prevailing highest minimum wage in the region, enrollment to group micro-insurance, and conduct of basic orientation on safety and health through dissemination of brochures.
The DOLE regional offices are also advised to provide cleaning solutions and ensure that the Tupad beneficiaries are properly advised to regularly and thoroughly wash their hands using soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers.
For monitoring and evaluation of Tupad #BKBK, the local government unit, or the accredited co-partner (ACP) shall monitor the implementation of the project and the DOLE shall also monitor the implementation of the project be it under the ACP mode or direct administration mode, in strict coordination with the health offices of the local chief executive or barangay, as the case maybe.
You can visit the DOLE-Cordillera Covid-19 Response Team at https://www.facebook.com/DOLECAR.CRT
April 20, 2024
