4.7 million displaced workers supported in the Philippines
- Claire Lee
The Philippines’ government has doled out support for some 4.7 million displaced workers, helping them cope with the challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Altogether, the government had disbursed PHP26.1 billion (US$0.51 billion) worth of social protection assistance under various programmes, which include the Department of Labour and Employment’s (DOLE) TUPAD programme, AKAD, and COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Programme (CAMP).
Under TUPAD, about 1.993 million workers from the informal sector were hired through an emergency employment programme that cost PHP9.62 billion (US$0.19 billion).
The programme provides jobs for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a minimum period of 10 days to a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work, according to the Philippine News Agency.
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Under CAMP, some 2.173 million workers from private firms, including those in the tourism industry and the education sector, received financial assistance amounting to PHP10.89 billion (US$0.21 billion).
The programme handed out a one-time cash support of PHP5,000 (US$97.86) to each worker.
