The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole)has disbursed about P235.08 million to 48,646 beneficiaries through its four programs, including the one for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid) pandemic.
In a report sent to the TIMES, the agency identified the programs as the the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (Camp), the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers-Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko (Tupad-BKBK), the Dole-Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (Dole-Akap) and the Social Amelioration for the Sugar Industry (Sasi).
Under the Camp, the agency extended P163.63 million in 3,191 establishments with 32,726 workers. Under this program, beneficiaries were those workers in the formal sector who have employee-employer relationship with the companies they work for.
Each worker is granted a one-time assistance of P5,000 in cash with their employers as the ones tasked to submit the applications online. The program started in middle of March and ended on April 15.
The Tupad-BKBK was able to disburse about P52.810 million to 13,336 beneficiaries in the region. Unlike the Camp, the Tupad-BKBK was for the informal sector like ambulant vendors, fishers and other members of the so-called underground economy.
Under the program, workers, identified by their barangay officials, were made to render community disinfection for 10 days and were paid the regional minimum wage of P396 a day.
Implemented by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Dole-Akap benefited 1,784 OFWs as it disbursed P17.84 million as each beneficiary got P10,000 in assistance. The program was intended for OFWs who were displaced because of the virus.
The Sasi, implemented specifically in Davao del Sur for its sugar industry, benefited 800 workers with each getting P1,000 in assistance. The province was identified for the program because it is considered the sugar hub of the region.
