DOLE Undersecretary Joji Aragon. (Screengrab from Laging Handa press briefing)
MANILA – An official of the Department of Labor and Employment on Friday assured quick processing of applications for the grant of cash aid under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), especially for those who were left out in the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan 1).
"But if they are applicants, we have those who have not yet been served or unserved. They have to apply for Bayanihan 2, the process has been shortened as ordered by Secretary Silvestre Bello III. For sure, with our regional offices and our hotline, you can be sure that they will be served this time,” DOLE Undersecretary Joji Aragon said in a Laging Handa press briefing.
At the same time, Aragon reported that over 2 million displaced formal and informal workers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will benefit from the PHP13 billion given to the DOLE under Bayanihan 2.
A total of 2,057,299 workers will be assisted under the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP).
She reported that the PHP5-billion budget under CAMP will benefit 993,432 formal workers.
The department is set to start releasing the cash aid from Bayanihan 2 in the first week of November.
For TUPAD, around 863,867 informal workers will be given emergency employment for 15-days. It has a budget of PHP6 billion.
Under AKAP with an allocation of PHP2 billion, some 200,000 OFWs repatriated due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Aragon also reported that they also received another Php4 billion to help dependents of OFWs and tourism workers.
“We received an additional PHP1 billion. In coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) we will be able to provide a time scholarship grant amounting to PHP30,000 to college students who are dependents of OFWs. More or less, 30,000 beneficiaries,” she said. "The other one involves the Tourism industry under Bayanihan II they were given Php3 billion. Some 597,000 workers and tour guides will be given subsidy or employment and training,” she added. (PNA)
