Over P300 million in cash benefits have yet to be claimed by around 50,000 workers affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Thursday.
Citing latest data, DOLE Information and Publication Service director Rolly Francia said a total of P302,800,844 in cash assistance are still waiting to be claimed by a total of 49,598 beneficiaries consisting of local workers and overseas workers who have returned to the country.
He said the unclaimed cash aid is from the funds under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan 1) and Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).
The financial aid is under the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP) Program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.
Under Bayanihan 1, the unclaimed cash assistance amounting to PHP23,230,620 is allotted for 3,798 beneficiaries.
The breakdown is as follows — CAMP, P4.25 million for 850 workers; AKAP, P14.1 million for 1,410 workers and TUPAD, P4,880,620 for 1,538 workers.
Meanwhile, the unclaimed financial aid from the Bayanihan 2 amounts to P279,570,223 with a total of 45,800 recipients.
This consists of TUPAD with P76,905,304 for 15,572 beneficiaries; AKAP with P95,110,000 for 9,511 beneficiaries; CAMP with P90,635,000 for 18,127 beneficiaries; CAMP (Tourism sector) with P15,429,920 for 2,292 beneficiaries and CAMP (Education sector) with P1.490 million for 298 beneficiaries.
Francia urged all those who applied for the assistance and have not received their cash aid to coordinate with DOLE’s field offices or remittance centers in their areas.
CAMP program is a one-time P5,000 cash aid provided by the government to affected workers in private establishments.
Under AKAP, Filipino workers on site or those that have been repatriated back to the country due to the pandemic are given a one-time financial aid amounting to P10,000 .
Informal sector workers displaced by the pandemic are given emergency employment for two weeks under TUPAD.
The workers’ salary is based on the current minimum wage in the area where they are employed.*PNA
