DOLE: Informal workers in Metro Manila get P20 million aid

MANILA, Philippines — Over 800 vendors and other informal workers in the National Capital Region have received P20 million in cash and livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the distribution of cash aid to informal workers is part of the DOLE’s efforts to help marginalized workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bello said the beneficiaries of the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program received bicycles, electronic loading business, rice package, frozen goods, home care products, negosyo sa kariton package and boats.

Beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD program received P5,370 after working for 10 days.

Bello said the DOLE’s thrust is to reduce the vulnerability risks of informal workers through emergency employment or promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises.

He underscored the Duterte administration’s social amelioration programs to help the marginalized sector recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Based on the March 2022 Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority, 36.2 percent or 17.016 million registered employees could be considered workers in the informal sector.