ILOILO City – The national government through the Department of Labor and Employment Western Visayas (DOLE 6) has released P799.84 million in livelihood and cash assistance to workers affected by the health pandemic.
Using funds provided under Bayanihan I and II, DOLE extended the assistance under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced or Disadvantaged (TUPAD) workers and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) for workers from the informal and formal sectors.
In collaboration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Tabang OFWs and Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP) programs were implemented to aid displaced and repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Regional director for Western Visayas Cyril Ticao, during his briefing on DOLE and OWWA initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday, said P369.49 million was released to 84,027 workers under the TUPAS program.
“This is an emergency employment program designed to mitigate economic downfall of our brothers and sisters in the informal sector,” he said.
Data furnished to the Philippine News Agency on Thursday showed that under Bayanihan I, a total of P162.155 million was released to 41, 052 beneficiaries of the TUPAD#Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfection or Sanitation Project and TUPAD post COVID-19. P207.335 was disbursed under Bayanihan II for 42,975 beneficiaries.
The emergency employment benefitted 11,677 workers from Antique; 11,116 from Aklan; 9,769 from Capiz; 4,000 from Guimaras; 25,428 from Iloilo; and 22,037 from Negros Occidental.
Aside from TUPAD, DOLE also disbursed P273.4 million, assisting 54,488 workers under CAMP, a program for workers in the formal sector regardless of employment status.
Meantime, one-time financial assistance of P10, 000 for each displaced OFW was released to 15, 269 beneficiaries amounting to P152.6 million.
Some P4.35 million was also released to 145 OFW dependents under the Tabang OFW. Tabang is a one-time tertiary educational assistance for dependents of COVID-19-affected OFW worth P30,000 each.
Ticao said the accomplishment is the fruit of the “never-ending efforts of the employees in the department”.
“Even with the lockdowns, travel restrictions and danger faced by the staff, we still did our part to help the affected people, displaced OFWs, and disadvantaged workers in the informal sector because more than ever, the people need its government, which is also a reflection of the passion and commitment of our leaders,” he said.(PNA)
