DOLE has P1 billion for workers affected by Alert Level 3

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is prepared to set aside P1 billion for workers affected by the stricter Alert Level 3 enforced this week due to the rising COVID-19 cases.

“In anticipation to the possibility of some of the workers being temporarily terminated or will be having reduced working hours, our department has prepared to provide in the case of the tourism industry 'yung COVID Adjustment Measure Program (CAMP). We allocated 50 million for workers in the tourism industry,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People on Thursday.

“However, in the case of the worst scenario, we may be compelled to allocate P1 billon for workers who will be affected by this Alert Level 3,” he added.

The Department of Trade and Industry earlier said it is expecting between 100,000 to 200,000 workers who will either temporarily lose their jobs or will have less number of working hours under Alert Level 3.

Bello said that three days after the new alert level was imposed, only 3,284 workers have so far been displaced nationwide, involving 267 business establishments.

Meanwhile, at least 5,762 workers were affected under the flexible working arrangement or less number of working hours.

“Unfortunately, there are temporarily closed businesses. Only 333 business establishments went into temporary closure,” he said.

The Labor secretary assured that the department is ready to provide cash assistance for the displaced workers.

“Ito po ang aming pinaghahandaan na kung sakasakali handa na ang DOLE magprovide ng one time cash assistance sa mga madisplace na workers,” he added.

(This is what we are preparing for and in such an event, the DOLE is ready to provide one-time cash assistance to displaced workers.)

Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs/perya, and casinos are among the activities and establishments that are prohibited under Alert Level 3.

Work at government offices is limited to 60% of their onsite capacity.

The Philippines on Thursday recorded 17,220 new COVID-19 cases bringing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 2,888,917.—LDF, GMA News