MANILA – Around 10 million Filipino workers could lose their jobs due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.
This was the assertion of Labor secretary Silvestre Bello III, saying that around 2.6 million workers have already lost their jobs due to the temporary closure of businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I say it but it’s possible,” said Bello during the Senate Committee of the Whole hearing.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) chief initially estimated that four to five million will be jobless as the pandemic continues to grapple the country.
“Karamihan po ‘yan sa service sector. Malaki po ang tourism, ‘yung allied businesses like restaurants, then transportation,” he added.
Despite the expected huge job losses in the country, Bello said they are expanding its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD program to assist those who will lose their jobs.
He also said that the government is bent on resuming pending infrastructure projects that can give jobs to those who will be jobless. The DOLE have also requested P40 billion from the House of Representatives for its recovery programs.
“We have talked to the leaders of the construction industry that when they start implementing these contracts, they should increase their workers by 10 percent to 20 percent,” said Bello.
The national government imposed enhanced community quarantine in the country last March 16, which included strict stay-at-home orders and suspension of on-site work operations to further avert the spread of the virus.
DOLE continues to provide cash subsidy to informal workers affected by the quarantine through its COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program, where each worker will receive a P5,000 financial assistance./PN
