DOLE Pushes for P5,000 Cash Assistance for Workers amid ECQ

DOLE Speaks on Proposal for Aid for ECQ-Affected Workers

DOLE – The Department of Labor and Employment is seeking funds as they proposed for P5,000.00 cash assistance for workers amid the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

The whole Metro Manila is under the strictest level of quarantine measure now, the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), until the 20th of August. There are strict restrictions on who are allowed to go out of their house and as well as strict border controls.

The essential workers are among those who are Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs). Those who are scheduled to receive their COVID-19 vaccine are also allowed to go out of their house for the vaccination provided they would present proof.

Amid the ECQ, public transportation remains for the benefit of the APORs. There are restrictions on business operations even on essential businesses.

A lot of workers understand the purpose of the lockdown but they are also worried about their finances. Many Filipinos can hardly make ends meet amid the crisis now.

The national government assured cash assistance for qualified Metro Manila residents but not everyone may avail it. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that it is possible that not all workers will be given the cash aid.

Thus, DOLE is pushing for one-time cash assistance to be distributed to 155,000 workers in the National Capital Region (NCR). Based on the report, they submitted a different funding proposal to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for a P2-billion fund.

DOLE wants to give P5,000.00 each as one-time cash assistance to the workers amid the ECQ. It covers not only workers in NCR but as well as in other regions. Bello is confident that the proposal would be approved.

READ ALSO: Cash Assistance for NCR Residents – Here’s How Much They May Receive