DOLE: Regardless of employment status, all workers affected by Alert Level 3 eligible for cash aid

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday clarified that all workers, regardless of their employment status, who lost their jobs or whose work was suspended due to the implementation of Alert Level 3 are qualified to apply for a one-time P5,000 cash aid.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, DOLE Undersecretary Dominique Tutay said all types of employees whether regular, contractual, probationary, or casual are covered.

“Lahat po ng uri ng manggagawa regardless of employment status, puwede po 'yung permanent, contractual, casual, on probation po, or kahit 'yung agency-hired po na employed din po sa principal,” she said.

(All types of employees who are affected by the Alert Level 3, regardless of employment status, can apply for the cash aid including permanent, contractual, casual, on probation, or even those agency-hired who are also employed in a principal company)

According to Tutay, the DOLE is expecting around 200,000 employees who will apply for the P5,000 cash aid in Metro Manila and other areas.

She said affected workers will receive the amount within two weeks upon submitting the application.

On Saturday, the DOLE said it will start accepting applications this Monday, January 24, for the cash assistance.

The DOLE allotted P1 billion for the financial assistance under the COVID Adjustment Measure Program (CAMP) 2022.

Qualified for the cash aid are workers who lost their jobs due to the permanent closure of their companies, as well as employees whose work was suspended due to the temporary closure of their employers' businesses under Alert Level 3.

For affected workers/individuals, the following must be submitted:

Clear photo of himself/herself holding a valid government-issued ID

Duly notarized proof of unemployment (i.e. Certificate of Employment, Notice of Termination, Notarized Affidavit of Termination of Employment, or Notice of Temporary Lay-off) covering the period of Alert Level 3 in their areas.

Applications with complete documentary requirements shall be submitted online through https://reports.dole.gov.ph.

Metro Manila and several other provinces have been placed under Alert Level 3 until January 31 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments are allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity but exclusively for fully vaccinated people, and 50% outdoor venue capacity as long as employees are fully vaccinated.

In-person classes, contact sports, fun fairs/perya, and casinos are among the activities and establishments that are prohibited under Alert Level 3. —KG, GMA News