CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — About 439 private sector workers in Central Luzon who were affected by flexible work arrangements or temporary closure due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak will receive financial aid from Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Under Department Order No. 209 series of 2020, private establishments that have implemented those may apply under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP).
“Upon approval, each of their employees will receive a one-time financial support of PhP5,000 transferred directly to the employee’s payroll account or through money remittance centers,” DOLE Regional Director Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita said.
A total of PhP2.195 million will distributed among the 439 affected workers throughout Central Luzon beginning today.
“These employees are from 71 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Starting today, Palawan Express will send each of the beneficiaries a message notifying them of the PhP5,000 financial support under DOLE’s CAMP. Beneficiaries should claim the cash personally in any Palawan Express branch near them,” Campita added.
Applications from 16 MSMEs covering 87 affected workers were approved in Zambales while 15 MSMEs with 68 workers were from Bulacan.
12 approved establishments with 89 workers were from Bataan; 13 establishments with 89 workers from Pampanga; 6 establishments with 39 workers from Nueva Ecija; 5 establishments with 50 workers from Tarlac and 4 establishments with 17 workers from Aurora.
“We prioritized MSMEs as these were presumably the ones that have no cushion to support their affected employees due to disruption and suspension of business operations. Again, we appeal to large establishments to pay the salaries of their workers in full during this time of national emergency,” Campita explained.
Central Luzon was initially allotted the amount of PhP2.195 million for CAMP.
“As of today, we are still working on additional funds. 86,000 workers and counting from over 1,400 establishments are reported in Central Luzon per se to be affected by the current situation,” Campita said.