P1.2B in DOLE aid out after Holy Week
The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) will roll out P1.2 billion after the Holy Week as assistance to “most vulnerable” workers, particularly those from the transport sector, affected by the fuel crisis.
The agency’s spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Lennard Serrano said Dole is studying proposals to place it under the department’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) by implementing a service contracting program similar to the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr).
“Hopefully, after Holy Week, we can implement this. We are looking into how the Tupad program can help so drivers can continue servicing their routes,” Serrano said in an interview with dzBB on Sunday.
Tupad beneficiaries need to work to get their pay, equivalent to the daily minimum wage in their respective region.
“Tupad is a social protection program of Dole that supports vulnerable and marginalized workers, including those who lost or are about to lose their jobs or livelihood such as during this state of national energy emergency,” Serrano said.
He added that Tupad provides “emergency assistance that is immediate and temporary in nature for vulnerable, marginalized, and displaced workers,” with the pay depending on the duration of their work ranging from 10 days to 90 days.
Most affected
The Dole official noted that the agency had been monitoring sectors that were affected the most by fuel price increases due to the Middle East conflict, even before President Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency.
By the department’s assessment, public utility vehicle (PUV) workers, especially drivers, were among the most affected by the ongoing global crisis.
The official also acknowledged complaints that government assistance such as the P5,000 subsidy could only cover a few days’ worth of diesel.
“We are also looking at who else can be included in the program, such as tricycle drivers and PUV conductors,” Serrano said.
“In the framework we are crafting, we are checking how many days may be given to pay for the work rendered by Tupad beneficiaries. We hope to give work to as many beneficiaries as possible,” he added.
Farmers, fisherfolk
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on March 17 started the distribution of the P5,000 cash relief assistance to PUV drivers affected by higher fuel costs and reduced daily income. Beneficiaries include tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers, transport network vehicle service drivers, delivery riders, and other similar transport workers.
The payout began in Metro Manila on March 17 and will continue in the provinces after Holy Week.
The DOTr also began its payout of fuel subsidy, ranging from P1,500 to P10,000, to PUV drivers and operators based in Metro Manila on March 24. Beneficiaries outside the capital region shall receive their subsidy starting April 6.
A fuel subsidy of P3,000 will also be provided each to 26,000 farmers and another 26,000 each to fisherfolk to be identified by the Department of Agriculture.
On top of this, farmers and fisherfolk will each receive in April an additional P2,000 cash aid under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program.
Cash assistance for the middle class and minimum wage orders were still being studied, pending review of funding sources, according to Malacañang.
