The Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera has provided more than P86 million worth of financial assistance to workers in the informal sector who were affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) caused by the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19).
DOLE-Cordillera Asst. Director Jesus Elpidio Atal said that as of April 1, there are 1,101 establishments that applied for the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) covering 17,920 workers.
Atal said the DOLE has processed the application for the 17,357 workers, whose financial assistance is worth P86,785,000.
Beneficiaries of the CAMP are workers in the formal sector, or those who have employers, and whose sources of income have been cut because the company they are working have ceased operations or their working days have been shortened. CAMP beneficiaries will receive a one-time financial assistance of P5,000.
Atal said employers should be the ones to apply for their employees to be assisted through the CAMP.
“Employers who refused to apply for their employees will be dealt with after this crisis,” Atal said.
He added employees who qualified of the CAMP will be notified by Western Union, which DOLE has tapped as its partner in the payment of P5,000 assistance.
“They will receive a notification from Western Union if the money is ready for pick-up,” he said.
For workers in the informal sector who were affected by the ECQ, DOLE can help them through the Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko (BKBK) under the agency’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Worker (Tupad).
Beneficiaries of the BKBK Tupad are workers in the informal sector or those who do not have employers whose sources of income have also been cut due to the ECQ.
To qualify for the BKBK Tupad, affected workers, such as drivers, small businessmen, and the self-employed must be certified by their punong barangays and the Public Employment Services Office of their respective municipalities or cities.
They will be asked to conduct sanitation works in their homes or in their barangays and will work for 10 days with a wage of P350 per day, which is the current minimum daily wage in the Cordillera. – Jane B. Cadalig
