The Philippines: As Metro Manila faces lockdown, assistance is considered

• The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is readying financial and other assistance for workers likely to be affected by the reimplementation of the ECQ.
• Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said DOLE is already looking for funding for the distribution of financial aid to workers in Metro Manila and other areas.
• If not from the annual budget, Benavidez said DOLE is studying the possibility of requesting funds from the Department of Budget and Management.
• According to Benavidez, the department is enforcing a national employment recovery strategy to provide jobs for the millions of workers displaced by the pandemic.
• About 127,000 workers from Metro Manila could suffer income reduction or even lose jobs due to the two-week lockdown, according to DOLE.
• Tutay said the government is preparing assistance for those who will be affected by the two-week lockdown.
• The government, she said, is inclined to provide PHP1,000 per individual or a maximum of PHP4,000 per family living in areas under ECQ.
• Tutay said DOLE is considering re-allocating the remaining PHP4bn under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program for the distribution of cash aid.
• The NCR and other areas under heightened quarantine restrictions will have enough food supply, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has also assured consumers.

External Link : https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/03/2117156/dti-vows-continuous-supply-basic-goods/