The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) endorsed on Sunday the proposal to allocate P155 billion in stimulus funding for wage subsidies for workers and job creation to restart the economy.
The proposal, authored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, aims to provide wage subsidies and “cash for work” opportunities for workers under the DOLE Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program.
“Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III 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,” DOLE said in a statement.
DOLE had proposed to Congress the Barangay Emergency Employment Program (BEEP), which aims to provide assistance to workers in the tourism, transportation and trade industries.
BEEP will also support those working in government priority programs, freelancers, self-employed individuals and repatriated overseas Filipino workers.
“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 said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro