Over 13 thousand workers get DOLE’s cash aid in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines — At least 13,329 workers in Central Visayas have already benefited the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Luchel Taniza, DOLE-7 regional information officer, said the total financial assistance released by the agency as of April 8 was P66,645,000.

The affected workers are from 657 establishments that implemented forced leave, reduction of workhours or workdays, and temporary closure because of the ongoing enhanced community quarantine.  Taniza said that some of these establishments are in operations but in flexible work arrangement.

DOLE has also announced a P10,000 one-time financial assistance to land-based and sea-based overseas Filipino workers whose employments were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Department of Labor and Employment has already prepared the guidelines of the DOLE-AKAP assistance program for OFWs to ensure its effective and streamlined implementation,” said DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III in a statement.

DOLE-AKAP will cover regular/documented OFWs as defined in the 2016 Revised Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Rules and Regulations.

“Regular or documented OFWs are those who possess a valid passport and appropriate visa or permit to stay and work in the receiving country; and whose contract of employment has been processed by the POEA or the POLO,” Bello said.

The assistance program, Bello added, also covers qualified undocumented OFWs or those who were originally regular or documented workers, but for some reason or cause have thereafter lost their regular or documented status.

“Also included in the program are those who are not registered with the POEA or whose contracts were not processed by POEA or the POLO, but have undertaken actions to regularize their contracts or status; or who are not registered with the POEA or whose contracts were not processed by POEA or the POLO, but are active OWWA members at the time of availment,” Bello said.

Balik-Manggagawa who are unable to return to host country in view of its lockdown due to COVID-19 are also entitled to receive the P10,000. Bello further said that OFWs who have experienced job displacement due to the receiving country’s imposition of lockdown or community quarantine or having been infected by the disease will receive the cash assistance.

To apply for the cash assistance program, on-site OFWs must visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in their host country.

Repatriated OFWs and Balik Manggagawa beneficiaries must apply at OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs).

DOLE-AKAP including other administrative expenses of Central and Regional operations to be incurred in the implementation of this program shall be sourced from DOLE's CAMP in the amount of P1.5 billion.  FPL (FREEMAN)