DOLE readies P50,000 cash assistance to displaced private workers; up to P3 million for group recipients
A labor official said on Wednesday that the national government will provide cash assistance of up to P50,000 to workers in the private sector who have lost their jobs or sources of livelihood due to Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name: Trami).
Group recipients may receive up to P3 million from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), said Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez.
“This is for the formation or restoration of their livelihood opportunities. We provide individuals a maximum of P50,000 and as much as P3 million for groups or associations,” he said.
The Dole has targeted 83,000 workers in the Bicol region, most of whom are from Camarines Sur, which suffered the brunt of massive flooding last week, Benavidez said.
Qualified beneficiaries are workers who have either lost their jobs, their livelihood, or their homes due to the flood.
Benavidez reiterated that the cash aid is a grant and not a loan that requires repayment.
“But while this is a grant, we will monitor how this will be used by the recipients because these are public funds. We want these to be used for worthwhile business ventures so we will be monitoring them from the time they start the business until they are able to make it flourish,” he said.
Benavidez said that the Dole has made the application process easy, requiring beneficiaries to submit proof that they are displaced workers.
“The rest of the requirements will be complied with through the help of our focal person or our staff. They just need to submit a project proposal, which was already prepared with a template,” he said.
The Dole official, however, reminded employers to ensure the safety of all their workers amid the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Leon,” the latest natural calamity to hit the country.
Tupad livelihood program
He said that affected workers may also avail of emergency employment in the ongoing relief and rehabilitation of flood-hit areas under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad).
“To our countrymen who lost their jobs or livelihood due to the natural calamities. They can get in touch with our offices or the nearest Public Employment Services Office which is present in all towns and provinces,” he said.
Benavidez cited official government data showing that more than 251,000 people were severely affected by typhoon “Kristine,” mainly in the Bicol and Calabarzon regions.
“So, that is where we are focusing our efforts on Tupad at the moment, through the cash-for-work program and emergency employment for our displaced workers,” he said.
