DOLE releases P8.35 million for CAMP 3 beneficiaries in Central Luzon

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Sunday said it released some P8.35 million to establishments in Central Luzon - the first batch of recipients of the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) 3.

Under CAMP 3, private-sector workers in areas declared under Alert Level 3 are given one-time financial assistance of P5,000. The program is set to cover over 700 establishments involving 15,000 workers.

“Restrictions on mobility as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected businesses and the employment of many of our people. We hope that the financial support provided by the department cushions the impact and gives our workers a fighting chance,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in an emailed statement.

Bulacan was placed under Alert Level 3 effective January 4, while Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales were placed under the same alert level on January 9. The same alert level was implemented in Nueva Ecija on January 14, and in the province of Aurora on January 16.

All provinces have since eased restrictions to Alert Level 1, except for Nueva Ecija and Zambales.

The DOLE recorded some 711 CAMP beneficiaries from Bulacan, 587 from Pampanga, 180 from Zambales, 127 from Tarlac, 57 from Nueva Ecija, and eight from Bataan.

“We have anticipated this number of applications and understand the needs of our fellow Filipinos during this time. This is why we did our best to expedite disbursement,” said Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio.

The DOLE closed CAMP 3 applications on March 4, but will reopen and restart accepting applications should an Alert Level 3 be reimposed.

Applicants with pending applications can track the status of their application on the DOLE website, with the department approving some 29,973 CAMP 3 applications as of March 6, 2022.

Most of the applicant workers were in Metro Manila which accounted for 58,005 or 35%, Calabarzon with 18,935 or 11%, and Region III with 17,024 or 10%.

CAMP 3 was launched in January in a bid to assist workers affected by the temporary or permanent closure of businesses and the retrenchment efforts of firms with the strict COVID-19 restrictions in place. — DVM, GMA News