spot_img
28.1 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Workers’ wage subsidy lacks funds–DOLE

- Advertisement -

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has asked for more funds for wage subsidies this year for workers who lost their jobs or suffered a loss in income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an online press briefing, Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said the 2021 national budget does not provide for such a wage subsidy, which will run for about three months.

In the same press briefing, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that 1.6 million Filipinos have yet to return to jobs that they held before the pandemic.

Tutay said they based the budget of the subsidy program on the average wage of workers in different sectors. The amount, he said, would be between P7,000 and P11,000 a month for three months.

She said the department’s request to the Department of Budget and Management would cover from 25 percent to 75 percent of workers’ monthly wages.

- Advertisement -

This would translate to a budget of P62 billion to P188 billion, she added.

Meanwhile, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Friday reiterated the House of Representatives’ support for the national government’s efforts to fight COVID-19 as it is prepared to tackle the Bayanihan 3 or the proposed P420-billion stimulus package proposal to help the economy recover from COVID-19.

Velasco said this support has been manifested a number of times with the passage of the 2021 national budget, which includes a P72.5 billion allocation for vaccine procurement, as well as the Bayanihan 1 and 2.

“We are even prepared to pass the Bayanihan 3, which proposes a P420 billion fund for the implementation of much-needed COVID-19 response and recovery interventions, including a P25 billion budget for COVID-19 treatment and vaccines,” Velasco said.

He added that they are also working on a bill to provide an indemnification fund that some vaccine manufacturers require.

Bayanihan 3 allocates P108 billion for additional social amelioration to affected households; P100 billion for capacity-building for affected sectors; P52 billion for wage subsidies; P70 billion for capacity-building for agricultural producers; P30 billion for internet allowances to teachers and students; P30 billion for assistance to displaced workers; P25 billion for COVID-19 treatment and vaccines; and P5 billion for the rehabilitation of areas affected by recent floods and typhoons.

Under the measure, each household member will receive P1,000 regardless of their economic status. On top of this, a P1,000 allowance will be provided to each student and teacher and P8,000 for every displaced worker.

Velasco said the bill is now up for second reading after it was approved by the House committee on appropriations and sponsored in plenary.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles