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Private sector workers who have already benefited from social enhancement benefits from other government agencies will no longer qualify for the next round of measures from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) as the economic crisis unravels.
Last week, Secretary of Labor Silvestre H. Bello III signed Departmental Orders 218 and 219 for the next round of implementation of two support programs using the budget of the Republic Law (RA) 11494.
In both broadcasts, Bello stated that beneficiaries of the following government programs are immediately excluded from DOLE support programs: wage subsidy for small businesses; unemployment benefit from the social security system; and cash assistance for rice farmers.
Also disqualified from the two programs are those who benefited from the programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Specifically for the DOLE Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (Camp), owners, senior management or workers with a gross monthly salary of P40,000 and more, as well as foreign citizens, except persons of concern ( POC), are also disqualified from said program.
Previous beneficiaries
However, Undersecretary of Labor Dominique R. Tutay said that those who previously covered the first round of Camp and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Worker (Tupad) implementation could still reapply for such programs.
“Based on [RA 11494], they can still benefit [from the two programs]; but the priority is really for those not served and who have not yet received assistance, “Tutay told BusinessMirror.
The DOLE said that a total of 658,886 workers benefited from Camp and 423,511 from Tupad during its initial implementation earlier this year.
With additional funding from RA 11494, or the second “Bayanihan to Recover as One” law, the DOLE aims to provide cash assistance to 993,432 workers through camps and emergency employment to 863,867 workers through Tupad.
CAMP Categories
The DOLE said it will provide a one-time financial aid of P5,000 to qualified beneficiaries of the Camp to “mitigate the immediate adverse economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic” on their livelihoods.
They will also be expanded with employment facilitation services and will be required to complete the National Skills Registration Program.
Bello said it will issue separate joint memorandum circulars to contain guidelines on how the program for education and the tourism sector will be implemented.
He said that companies that suffered a temporary or permanent closure due to lockdown measures against the Covid-19 pandemic can apply for the program for their workers.
Laid off workers can also apply individually for the program subject to submission of documentary requirements online prior to undergoing evaluation by the appropriate Dole regional office.
Enhanced compliance
To provide more income for informal sector workers, the self-employed with elementary occupations, and unpaid family workers, the DOLE extended Tupad’s usual duration from 14 to 16 days.
The local government units (LGU) and the accredited co-partner (ACP) will be primarily those supporting Tupad beneficiaries to the DOLE, the labor department said.
Affected workers can express their intention to join the program through their LGUs. Only one beneficiary per family will stay under the Tupad, the DOLE said.
Qualified program beneficiaries must first undergo the necessary orientation, including safety and health standards, before they can begin their emergency employment.
The task they will be assigned may include the repair and maintenance of common public facilities, tree planting, assistance to LGUs, transportation services for the creation of mobile markets, and community disinfection and sanitation.
DOLE said it will hire program coordinators for the national implementation of the Enhanced Tupad.
Both DO 218 and 219 were signed by Bello on October 28, 2020.
