DOLE: As many as 1.8M workers affected by COVID-19 crisis

As much as 1.8 million Filipino workers are expected to be hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), prompting the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to request for more funds to provide assistance.

According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the DOLE is set to request for additional funds to provide for the 1.8 million local workers estimated to be affected by the global health crisis.

"If we follow the prediction of NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority), we are expecting mayroong 1.8 million workers na maapektuhan," he said during the Laging Handa press briefing on Monday.

"Kaya siguro we will have to ask additional budget allotment from the national government for the social amelioration fund," he elaborated.

The DOLE on Sunday said it would need another P5 billion to finance the assistance programs for workers affected by COVID-19.

Bello said that as of Monday, April 05, the DOLE has already given out subsidies to 180,000 workers -- 102,855 from the formal sector (P514 million), and 72,703 beneficiaries from the informal sector (P107 million).

"Ngayon, we are still targeting 115,000 formal workers up to April 14. This will involve P579 million for formal workers. Sa mga informal workers, we are targeting 235,000 informal workers and this involves P963 million. 'Yan ang tinatarget natin up to April 14," he said. — RSJ, GMA News