DOLE supports early passage of billion-peso stimulus funds

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is supporting the early approval of a proposed billion-peso stimulus funds for workers and economy’s reboot.

The measure, which is sponsored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, is still pending in Congress.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III, in a statement, said the passage of the stimulus measure will enable the government to extend wage subsidy to workers and help them recover from the effects of the global health pandemic.

Under the measure, P155 billion will be allocated for wage subsidies and cash-for-work under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the DOLE.

DOLE has proposed to Congress the Barangay Emergency Employment Program (BEEP) for workers in tourism, transportation, trade and industries, and those working in the priority programs of the government. It will also cover freelancers and self-employed individuals, and repatriated OFWs.

The program aims to ensure income and employment retention to workers in the formal sector, and provide wage amelioration and other unemployment benefits to freelance and self-employed workers, including the repatriated OFWs.

DOLE is also throwing its support to the COVID-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (Cures) Act of 2020, which shall fund “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects.

Proposed by Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte Jr., 2nd District Representative of Camarines Sur, the Cures Act aims to provide an economic stimulus package that assures a sustainable employment and an improved economy through investments on public works, such as hospitals and other health care facilities, digital infrastructures for healthcare management and public education, agriculture, and road networks.  KQD (FREEMAN)