photo by POLO-Bahrain OSHC RO-5 screengrab photo by DOLE RO-8 Field Office photo by DOLE RO-7 OVERSEAS AGENCIES THE REGIONS GOOD NEWS Pinays get the OSHC defers Biliran town gets most in kindness physical trainings big tailor dreams fisherman P5 P6 P7 gets aid P8

Congress sets lifeline for jobless

THE labor department is throwing its full support to an economic stimulus package being prepared by Congress to fire up the country’s economy that has been made languid by the impact of the corona pandemic. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello has expressed full support 'OUR APOLOGIES' for the early approval in Congress of the economic stimulus plan especially since it includes a billion- BELLO TAKES CUDGELS FOR SNAGS peso aid package for Filipino workers that IN SEND OFFS OF STRANDED RETURNEES have been displaced or left jobless by the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Taskforce The economic stimulus measure, sponsored by to speed up representative Joey Salceda and Marikina representative Stella home trips Quimbo, includes a P155 LABOR Secretary Silvestre billion wage subsidy Bello has created two rapid and “cash for work” action units to help expedite under the DOLE-Tulong the movement of overseas Panghanapbuhay sa Filipino workers from various Ating Disadvantaged/ quarantine facilities to their Displaced Workers respective home destinations, (TUPAD) program. and facilitate the speedy Labor Secretary processing of outbound Silvestre Bello III said the workers. passage of the stimulus The labor secretary measure will enable the ordered the designation of government to sustain its additional personnel from wage subsidy program to DOLE’s regional and attached displaced workers which agencies to beef up and man is a critical component the manpower requirement of in warding off the grave the taskforce and ensure the impacts of a depressed smooth land and air transport OWWA Quarantine Operations screengrab economy. and monitoring of OFWs from DOLE has also various quarantine facilities proposed inclusion in HOME-BOUND STRANDED OFWs. Through the government’s intensified implementation of its “Hatid Probinsya” Program, to their respective home the proposed measure more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded in different quarantine facilities continue to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino destinations. International Airport for their scheduled flights to their respective home destinations. the Barangay Emergency The move came following Employment Program a directive from President (BEEP) for workers Duterte to immediately send P3 TUPAD seen to reach 1M informal workers home all OFWs who tested negative for COVID-19 IN A show of nimble policy government’s emergency Panghanapbuhay sa Ating conducted by the Philippine action, the Department of employment program as Disadvantaged/ Displaced Coast Guard and the Red Labor and Employment the country reels from the Workers (TUPAD) program Cross. (DOLE) has shifted some of debilitating effects of theas a post-COVID intervention As of this month, around Stranded its programs to help man the COVID-19 pandemic, the measure to help informal 24,000 OFWs were in govern- trenches in government’s fight labor department reported. sector workers recover from ment quarantine facilities fol- OFWs near to contain the spread of the When the pandemic economic displacement and lowing the government’s strict deadly corona pandemic. hit the country, Labor loss of income following a quarantine protocols for re- Close to a million workers Secretary Silvestre Bello III countrywide quarantine to turning OFWs. 100K mark in the informal economy immediately ordered the arrest the spread of the virus. In a related development, P3 are set to benefit fromimplementation the of the Tulong P3 P2 2 May 2020 Over 1M workers get aid in battle vs pandemic

THE labor department said it international lockdowns. Of the has extended cash assistance to 1.5 billion DOLE-AKAP fund, more than 1 million workers in about P1.05 billion have already both the formal and informal been disbursed to an estimated sectors, including overseas 150,000 OFWs beneficiaries. Filipino workers, as it winds up It said the department its social amelioration programs would need additional P2 to help cushion the impact of billion in emergency funds to the COVID-19 pandemic. be able to service a significant In its report to the president, portion of the 368,703 OFWs photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS the labor department said who had sought the cash aid as its assistance programs had of May 5. DOLE CRISIS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. In its commitment to safely bring home OFWs who were virtually locked up in various quarantine facilities over an extended period of time, the Department of Labor and Employment created a Crisis benefitted 1,059,387 workers Also for the same period, Management Committee that will monitor the affected OFWs onsite and their repatriation in the country. Labor Chief Silvestre with a disbursement amounting DOLE said a total of 618,722 Bello III led the launch of the Command Center that will serve as a repository of data and information on the volume of OFWs to P4.44 billion. The aid amount formal sector workers from being repatriated. This will be manned by the DOLE Crisis Management team created to guide the Department in the formulation was taken from its regular 31,972 micro, small and medium of proactive measures and policies in dealing with repatriation, reintegration, and assistance to OFWs who have been profiled budget and a separate P1.05 enterprises were extended the even before their return to the country. billion in emergency fund. P5,000 cash assistance under It said it has concluded CAMP. DOLE spent P3.093 the COVID-19 Adjustment billion from its 2020 budget Measures Program (CAMP) and for the one-time assistance the Tulong Panghanapbuhay program. An additional 35,723 sa Ating Disadvantaged/ workers are expected to OUR APOLOGIES Displaced Workers, Barangay benefit from the cash aid as the Ko Bahay Ko (TUPAD CAMP program wraps up its by Althea Louise D. Majan center that will attend solelywill employ to the system and #BKBK) program as part of operations until this month. the concerns of our kababayans provide information on OFWs the government’s response to Under the TUPAD BKBK LABOR Secretary Silvestre who have been affected by thedisplaced by the pandemic to mitigate the adverse economic program, meanwhile, DOLE Bello III has expressed regret in pandemic,” Bello said. help the government determine effects of the health emergency said 337,198 workers in the the departmental imbroglio that The labor secretary said and immediately provide the on the low-income workers. informal sector benefitedhad stranded a large number of that the command center will kind of support they need once The department’s remaining from the 10-day emergency overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) centralize all concerns pertaining they land at the country’s ports,” program is the cash aid for employment and were paid the in Metro following to the assistance and repatriation Bello said. OFWs under its DOLE Abot minimum wage prevailing in government’s imposition of strict of the OFWs as well as assist The tracker can facilitate the Kamay Ang Pagtulong (DOLE- their respective areas. quarantine measures. the Inter-agency Task Force vs identification and classification AKAP) Program, which is also Some P1.348 billion of the This month, around 24,000 COVID-19 in instituting the of arriving OFWs in various nearing completion with about department’s regular budget OFWs were still confined mandated in health protocols. ways and substantially help in 74 percent of the targeted OFW- were disbursed to finance several the government quarantine To be manned by personnel streamlining arrivals at airports beneficiaries already qualified program. centers even after reportedly from DOLE, the Overseas and ports, as well as ensure the for the release of the one-time The emergency work stints complying with the 14-day Workers Welfare Administration conduct of an organized system P10,000 or $200 cash assistance. involved the disinfection and arrival quarantine and health (OWWA),and the Philippine of health protocols for returning DOLE said 103,467 sanitation of the beneficiaries’protocols imposed by the Inter- Overseas Employment OFWs, such as health checks, OFWs were already listed homes and barangays in Agency Task Force Against Administration (POEA), the swabs, and rapid transport to as beneficiaries of theconformity AKAP with current health COVID-19. command center will employ hotels or their provinces. Program representing protocols set by government “We apologize for the DOLE’s vast domestic and He added that the unit will displaced workers onsite and to help contain the spread of anxiety and discomfort that the international labor network and also map out both the volume of use an extensive, real-time, OFW inbound and outbound OFWs, those repatriated or stranded COVID-19 among Filipino unwarranted suffering may have tracker to track down the influx or those that are already being in their host countries due to communities. caused our dear OFWs, all 24,000, or so, of them,” Bello said. of Pinoy workers and provide deployed to host countries Bello made the statement in critical inputs to the IATF as it already opened to foreign the wake of President Rodrigo streamlines the institution of nationals. Duterte’s order for the IATF to health protocols on all returning “This is part of our speed up the send offs of OFWs.the commitment to bring home safely stranded overseas workers. “We have a vast OFW data our beloved OFWs who had been “Even if DOLE’s role is just to and tracking system and this affected by the virus including house our OFWs in our designated will be used by the IATF in those whose returns had been holding establishments, I’ll say implementing a smooth and snagged by international locked sorry for all of us in government organized way of checking and downs,” he said. for inadvertently delaying the assisting our kababayans,” Bello As of this report, around provincial return of our beloved said. 22,000 OFWs who were kababayans,” Bello said. DOLE has come up with the quarantined in Metro Manila Bello aired this misgivings OFW Assistance Information have already been transported during the creation of a DOLE System (OASIS) in anticipation to their home provinces by task force that would streamline of the influx of OFWs comingDOLE and OWWA. Prior to the processing of all arriving home due to the pandemic. the send-offs there were about OFWs and thus help the IATF OASIS is considered crucial in 24,000 quarantined OFWs in the speed up their health procedurals helping the IATF with vital OFW metropolis. IATF screengrab and send-offs. data and real-time information He assured that the remaining “It’s sad to see how the that can help the COVID task OFWs will be sent home before HATID-SUNDO OPERATIONS. Employees of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration – Regional Office 1 (OWWA-RWO1) through its Hatid-Sundo Field Operations assist OFWs as pandemic has impacted global force in preparing assistance the deadline set by President they return home in Region 1. businesses and affected many ofand pre-positioning government Duterte as more OFWs are our beloved OFWs. This is why resources for repatriated OFWs. expected to arrive in the coming Taskforce to speed up 'Hatid- we’re putting up a command “The DOLE Command Center weeks.

Probinsya,' 'Balik-Abroad' . . . from P1 Bello said that the processing of inbound and of OWWA, the Philippine Sec. Bello also initiated the has lifted the restrictions on government does not intend to outbound OFWs, the ‘hatid- Overseas Employment creation of a separate task group the employment of foreign inconvenience returning OFWs probinsya’ and ‘balik-abroad’ Administration (POEA) and to ease the processing of OFWs workers. with prolonged quarantine task groups will serve as DOLE’s International Labor destined for countries that have “We are doing this so as we stays, emphasizing that “DOLE monitoring offices for Affairs onsite Bureau. already started lifting their don’t lose the jobs for our OFWs, and OWWA have no control OFWs and those seeking The Center will be supervised COVID-19 lockdowns. This while at the same time we help over the testing and issuance of repatriation. by former labor secretary taskforce will handle outbound facilitate the quick homecoming clearances.” The two task groups are Marianito Roque and assisted land and sea-based workers and be of assistance to our Aside from facilitating the housed in a central command by three labor undersecretaries. whose country of destination returning workers,” Bello said. Center manned by the heads

dole.gov.ph PHILIPPINE LABOR May 2020 3 Bello renews call to preserve jobs “Cost of virus prevention also lies with employers,” he says

“PRESERVE JOBS!” rotations; partial closure of an establishment while some Labor Advisory No. 18 emphasizes that employers, This has been the continuing appeal of Labor Secretary department or unit is continued; and other schemes that is contractors and subcontractors, or their principals, Silvestre Bello III to businesses and employers amid the necessary or peculiar for the survival of a specific business should shoulder expenses in the conduct of the following current economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 or establishment. prevention and control measures: testing of employees; pandemic. The guidelines likewise strongly advise employers disinfection of facilities; provision of hand sanitizers; The labor department recently released a labor to employ various wage and benefits schemes necessaryprocurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), such advisory which invokes charity and good citizenship to all for the continuance of business and employment in as facemasks; putting up of signages; the orientation and entrepreneurs and industries on how best employers can coordination with their workers and in conjunction with training of workers including the provision of IEC materials protect jobs, and prevent layoffs and retrenchments duringagreed company policies and their respective collective on COVID-19 prevention and control; and other measures the crisis. bargaining agreements (CBAs); provided that the said necessary to fight and protect their workers and employees. Labor Advisory No. 17 “highly encourages” work- adjustments in wage and benefits should not exceed six These minimum health standards are contained in the joint from-home and telecommuting for employees in businesses months, or the period mandated in their CBAs. DOLE-DTI Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and industries already allowed to resume operations under “We know that businesses have suffered so much, but and Control of COVID-19, dated April 30; Department the modified enhanced community quarantine or general for the sake of our economy we encourage them to dig Order No. 35, dated May 3, 2020 on Construction Safety community quarantine. deeper into their vast reserve of charity and benevolence Guidelines for the Implementation of all DPWH Projects It also spells out a menu of alternative work arrangements so that their workers and the communities can continue to During the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis; and Department that employers may resort to in order to forestall further further weather this crisis that we are all facing and fighting Memorandum No. 2020-0220, dated May 11, 2020, on the business reverses, while at the same time protecting jobs, together,” Bello said. Interim Guidelines for the Return-To-Work, issued by the preventing closures and termination of workers. In a separate advisory, DOLE also said that the cost Department of Health (DOH). These alternative work schemes include transfer of of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace For contractual workers such as security guards, employee to another branch; assignment of employee to should be shouldered by employers as provided for in a maintenance crew and janitorial workers, the expenses shall another function or position, in the same or another branch joint guideline between the DOLE and the Department of be borne by the principal, or client, of the contractor or or outlet; reduction of normal workdays or workhours; job Trade and Industry (DTI). subcontractor.

Congress sets lifeline for Stranded migrant workers jobless . . . from P1 in tourism, transportation, near 100k mark trade and industries, and those working in the priority THE number of overseas Americas are mostly sea-based about 19,631 have unfinished The POLOs have so far programs of the government, Filipino workers stranded in workers numbering 11,372. contracts or distressed needing assisted in the repatriation of including coverage for various parts of the globe has Those from Asian countries, repatriation in the coming 36,625 OFWs since the outbreak freelancers or “gig workers”, as swelled to nearly 100,000, the 2,110 are mostly land based weeks, 11,505 of whom are in of the pandemic. Around 24,000 well as succeeding repatriated labor department reported. with the remaining as sea based the Middle East while close OFWs remained in government OFWs. The stranded OFWs both workers. to 6,500 are in Europe and the quarantine centers in Metro Bello said that if it passes include those “distressed” Of the total stranded OFWs, Americas. Manila and Luzon prior to the legislative mill, the stimulus by the pandemic and those the shipping out of more plan will ensure income and whose work contracts have than 22,000 “COVID-cleared” employment retention of expired but cannot return to the OFWs to their respective workers in the formal sector, due to the absence home provinces by DOLE and and provide wage amelioration of commercial flights. OWWA as the month ended. Citing reports from the Labor Secretary Silvestre and other unemployment Philippine Overseas Labor Bello III earlier ordered the benefits to freelance and self- Offices (POLOs) in 40 foreign activation of the command employed workers, and assist posts, the DOLE OFW center to monitor and direct new repatriated OFWs. command center in Manila actions on the repatriation, In the same vein, Bello said recorded a total of 98,615 assistance, reintegration that the department is fully stranded workers as of May 29, and deployment of OFWs, supporting a separate jobs and 2020. and prevent a repeat of the infra measure being proposed Of the total stranded OFWs, seemingly disorderly process by representative 83,483 are in the Middle East in dealing with returning OFWs Lray Villafuerte Jr. called the while 12,050 of them are in due to health crisis. COVID-19 Unemployment Europe and American region DFA screengrab OWWA had so far spent Reduction and Economic and 3,082 in nearby Asian over P700 million for the Stimulus (CURES) Act of 2020 countries. repatriation, transport, which aims to fund “shovel- Most OFWs from the Middle SAFELY BACK. About 300 Filipino seafarers from the ship MV Azura have been repatriated accommodation and food of back to the Philippines on 11 May 2020 through the whole of nation approach of OWWA, ready” infrastructure projects. East are land-based totalling DFA, DOH, and DILG. the more than 30,000 returning –Gerry S. Rubio 83,380 while those in Europe- OFWs.

from P1 pandemic when he released an workers or in setting up TUPAD seen to reach 1M informal workers . . . Administrative Order allowing mobile markets; and in the TUPAD is a short-term among those affected by the program benefited morethe program than to tap workers sanitation and disinfection of emergency employment pro- global pandemic. It said the 337,000 workers. for critical initiatives such as communities provided they gram implemented by the de- Philippines is among only 11 Bello said the TUPAD the delivery of essential goods strictly observe the physical partment to help mitigate the countries that adopted such program is seen to reach and services like personal distancing protocols. impact of calamities, disas- programs. about 962,000 informal sector hygiene materials, medicines, A separate enhanced ters and epidemics on work- FAO referred to the workers, a huge part of whom and personal protective TUPAD is being finalized as a ers in the informal economy. DOLE’s modified TUPADor more than 540,000 had equipment for frontliners and component of the post-COVID The United Nation’s Food dubbed Barangay Ko, Bahay sought assistance under the the general public, in cities and recovery package prepared and Agriculture Organization Ko or TUPAD #BKBK where BKBK program. municipalities. by the labor department. The has recently cited the beneficiaries were paid the In a show of foresight He also ordered the hiring program involves a three- Philippines for implementing minimum wage in their and quick policy action of workers for ten-day work month employment scheme the noble social protection respective areas for 10 days Bello immediately shifted stints to assist in packing for informal workers who will measure that specifically targetsof disinfection and sanitation the program to help in the relief goods and other jobs to take advantage of the Balik the informal sector workers work of their dwellings and country’s fight against bethe determined by the LGUs; Probinsya program. being the most vulnerable immediate vicinity. The transport services for frontline

PHILIPPINE LABOR @laborandemployment 4 May 2020

DOLE-NCR Regional Director Sarah Buena S. Mirasol The lady director running labor's "ground zero"

THE offices of the Department the place; and therein lies the friend said using the name her of Labor and Employment charming incongruity of the friends call her by. National Capital Region regional director and the officeThe gods of fate however had (DOLE-NCR) is full of surprises. she heads. other plans for her. Plans that RD Sarah Buena Mirasol For an office that is the As a child, Regional Director may not have been as glamorous largest regional unit of the Mirasol had simple dreams; and less remunerative than, looks like a “youngish” the real meaning of ambiguity. department, DOLE-NCR is the kind that comes with the say a hotshot young provincial overworked public wonk rather Director Bambi’s ante-room housed inside a “smallish” caveat that for one to achieve lawyer, but were certainly than a dilettante public official. alone is a hive of staffers and nondescript building tucked her dreams, one has to be wary more arduous—in the real A modest and unpretentious HR employees getting the day’s into a cul-de-sac in an old and of the trapdoors in which the Greek-sense of that word—in woman who presides over work done fast and quick. quiet residential side street in young often fall through in the honest, backbreaking, and “ground zero” of the seemingly When one steps into the Malate, Manila. their trek toward achievement: sometimes thankless world of chaotic world of Philippine inner sanctum itself, the open For another, it might poor education, lack of public service. labor; the omphalos (not the door of the regional director— seem baffling that opportunities, someone and an obstinate Fortunately, the years she peripheral, or secondary her well-known gentle so unassuming and reserve fickleness that commonly cut her teeth as a bright young parts of the entire universe of demeanor notwithstanding— could sit at the very center of short circuits the dreams of the lawyer in prepared her Philippine labor) but its very one is assaulted by the hard the extremely toxic world of young. for the rigors of public service. sensitive and palpitating core— face of hardscrabble public Philippine labor—the nation’s “She was a diligent and These were years steeped in the nation’s economic and labor service; for the visitor is greeted capital. studios child,” a friend quickly civic duty and taking the fightcapital: the NCR. by great stacks of papers and Atty. Sarah Buena S. Mirasolticks off the education part of for others such as being the “Director Bambi is the kind documents that seem to fill is so unassuming that if you the caveat. “Director Bambi local legal warrior for the Legal of official who prefers the up the entire room—papers bump into her in the building’s actually just wanted to be a Network for Truthful Elections hard light of her night lamp that bedeck not only her desk, narrow corridor you’d never simple lawyer helping the (LENTE) and other civic causes. working long hours, than the but also the ping-pong sized guess that she practically runs abused and the mistreated,” the She didn’t know then that all glare of the limelight,” said the meeting table next to it. the “trench work” would serve friend. “She’s the consummate And this is where the sense her well later although she hard worker and back office of incongruity vanishes—as if did knew the anthropological veteran,” he adds. flattened by the weight of all dictum that those from the But, least she be those documents—as her real peripheries will always have it misunderstood, for RD achievement is revealed: the harder than those root and fruit of her from the center. young dream; that For someone from “An unpretentious woman she had attained, Ilagan, Isabela, one not through of the country’s far presiding over 'ground incongruity but outposts whose through the god’s Executive Editor | RAUL M. FRANCIA “out there-ness” is zero' of the seemingly of fate: the mounds Editor-in-Chief | GERRY S. RUBIO comparable to the of papers for her “distant otherness” chaotic world of Philippine signature and Issue Editor |TEEPHANIE D. LADERAS of some southern approval, looking Central Desk | N.L. PETILLA | RHEA S. CARLOS | MARIO F. FETALINO JR Mindanao labor; its very sensitive like pale molehills; provinces RD that a lesser soul Senior Writers | CORAZON C. GONZALES | ALTHEA LOUISE D. MAJAN Mirasol knew that and palpitating core – the PETER PAUL R. ANG would weep in she had to work NCR. accomplishing— Contributing Writers | HERSHEY AQUINO, NCR | PATRICK RILLORTA, CAR harder than the ” the iconography of ARLY STA. ANA-VALDEZ, RO1 | CHESTER CARLO TRINIDAD, RO2 next bright young Director Bambi’s AIRA CUNANAN, RO3 | FRANZ RAYMOND AQUINO, RO4-A lawyer. So she chaired the Mirasol, the terms ambiguous hard work; the “fated” result EMMANUEL ANTONIO PORTUGAL, RO4-B | JOHANA VI GASGA, RO5 provincial Girl Scouts council, and incongruous have only of a girl with a simple but NIEZEL ANEN SABRIDO, RO6 | LUCHEL TANIZA, RO7 headed the local Jaycees Junior one unalloyed meaning and dedicated dream. NORMA RAE COSTIMIANO, RO8 | KAREN CLAIRE GRAFIA, RO9 Chamber and even volunteered variant: “hardwork” and its Even now, the remaining MILDRED DABLIO, RO10 | EDUARDO MONREAL, RO11 to do development work for the CHRISTOPHER GAMBOA, RO12 | OLGA VIRGINIA DEMATA, sibling term “dedication.” ambiguity of how a mellow UN in the dangerous deserts of So caveat emptor, writers or soul could lie at the hard core Creative Artist | VERONICA C. CASIL Africa. plain cynics, who might drop of Philippine labor is being After her UN volunteer Photographers | ALEJANDRO P. ECHAVEZ | REDGIE D. MASON by the offices of DOLEconclusively NCR flattened by the work, she worked her way feeling that they are being lulled greatest test that government, Circulation Manager | GIRLIE MARLYN E. ARCE from being a staffer to assistantinto making the usual sketches and all its instrumentalities, secretary in the office of Circulation Assistants | MADELYN D. DOMETITA | RANDY F. FERNANDEZ of an underwhelming building have not faced since the dark the presidential adviser for and the lackadaisical workings days of World War II—the The PHILIPPINE LABOR is the official publication of the government centers. When of a regional government office. soul-sapping effects of the Department of Labor and Employment the office was abolishedThe she façade of inertia, COVID-19 pandemic that have with editorial office at the Information and Publication Service did more spadework in other common in some government taken a wallop to Philippine 5th Floor, DOLE Building, General Luna Wing, Manila. government agencies thus offices, quickly melts whenlabor; a sucker punch that honing her well-rounded one gets into the door of the would wobble the knees of understanding of the intricacies old building, that DOLE-NCR the most hardnosed director of public service. rents, where a roomful of DOLE in the entire government, And this could explain that frontliners are attending to a male or female, but not the Readers’ queries, comments, and suggestions are welcome. initial sense of perplexity in long line of clearance, permit, gentle and unflappable lady Mail or fax them in, or call us the HQ of DOLE-NCR. Like at telephone numbers 527-3000 loc. 620, 621, 622, and job seekers. By the time that rules the roost of that 623, 625, 626, 627. the “tucked-away” building you get to the floor where unassuming the building on a side- Our fax number is 527-3446. RD Bambi is an unassuming office of the RD is locatedstreet one somewhere in the quiet You may also visit our website: www.dole.gov.ph; workhorse—someone who is ready to be reeducated in environs of Manila. –NLP or e-mail us at [email protected]. dole.gov.ph PHILIPPINE LABOR May 2020 • OVERSEAS • 5 Workers return home In Bahrain, Pinays benefit from after Kuwait amnesty kindness and aid

THE Philippine Overseas all expatriates with expired BAHRAIN – Over 2,000 Labor Office (POLO) inresidency Kuwait visa, including those women overseas Filipino has repatriated 380 distressed with absconding cases provided workers (OFWs) in Bahrain overseas Filipino workers that they have no travel ban. have benefitted from the one- from Kuwait as part of a new “The Kuwaiti government time cash grant implemented amnesty program initiated by shouldered the airfare costs, by the labor department under the Kuwaiti government for including provision for food its DOLE-AKAP program. foreign nationals with expired and accommodation to qualified The DOLE-AKAP program visas and work permits. OFWs pending their departure aims to help all OFWs (sea and Two chartered flights to the Philippines,” Arellano landbased) displaced by the arranged by the Kuwaiti said. adverse economic effects of government are scheduled to The Department of Labor the COVID-19 pandemic. arrive in Manila on the first weekand Employment, through In its report, the POLO – of June 2020, with 190 OFWs in the POLO in Kuwait closely Bahrain said that 2,292 OFWs each flight via Kuwait Airlines. coordinated with the Public have received cash assistance photo by POLO-Bahrain Labor Undersecretary Claro Authority for Manpower and and most of the beneficiaries Arellano said that the OFWs the Ministry of Interior to ensure were women (70 percent or AKAP PAYOUT IN BAHRAIN. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in sectors hard-hit by are part of the 2,277 OFWs that that qualified OFWs were given 2,092) due to mass closures the COVID-19 pandemic like education, hospitality, events, and retail, queue up to claim have been repatriated by the priority in the amnesty program or temporary shutdowns the financial assistance under the DOLE’s Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP) Program. Kuwaiti government following of the host government which of businesses in the the its decision on 30 March to effectended on 30 April 2020. –POLO hospitality, event, service, help they received. Workers Welfare Administra- the Amnesty Program covering Kuwait retail, and education sectors. “I need to send money to tion (OWWA) – Bahrain, re- These beneficiaries work as my children back home and ported that it provided food waitresses, cleaners, massage this financial assistance ispacks a to 1,050 OFWs which therapists, beauticians, dental big help as it will help me buy amounted to BD3,352.800, or and teacher assistants. food for my children during USD8,884.92. Relief to go beyond 80k The cash assistance this time,” said one of the An additional 4,000 food amounted to Bahraini Dinar women beneficiaries. packs are now being prepared MORE than 80,000 overseas He said that as of this month, (BD) 244,400, or USD 600,000. On the day of the financialby the agency for distribution Filipino workers (OFWs) from the POLOs have extended the Each assisted Filipino assistance on May 10, 2020, this month as OFWs being all over the world have been minimum aid of medicines and worker received a one- which coincided in the displaced continues to rise. provided with relief assistance food to thousands of OFWs, time cash aid of BD75.00, or celebration of Mother’s Day, The Kingdom of Bahrain as of this month, the labor the aggregates of which are the P10,000. 92 Pinay workers trooped to continues a safe return to department reports. following: 3,637 OFWs from The Filipino workers the Philippine Embassy to normalcy as businesses have A package of relief assistance Asia and the Pacific receivedexpressed gratitude to the claim their financial assistance.started to resume. –Lorna was extended by the labor food and medical relief while Philippine government for the Meanwhile, Overseas Bacolong department to 81,388 overseas 66,271 come from Middle East Filipino workers affected by theand Africa, and another 9,403 COVID-19 pandemic in various from Europe and the Americas. locations across the globe. In Kuwait alone, the POLO Aside from the one-time $200 distributed food packs to 28,179 cash assistance given to OFWs OFWs, while there were 9,358 under the AKAP program, beneficiaries in Jeddah and Stranded seafarers in LA DOLE likewise distributed food 7,723 in Qatar. Meanwhile, the packs, face masks and medicines POLOs in the UAE reached out through the Philippine Overseas to 3,437 OFWs with Abu Dhabi set to return home Labor Offices (POLOs) in 40 having 1,820 beneficiaries and foreign posts. Dubai with 1,617. LOS ANGELES – Four Their repatriation was DOLE provides the AKAP Labor Undersecretary Claro To date, 2,077 COVID stranded Filipino seafarers made possible through aid to all land-based and sea- Arellano said that the Philippine positive OFWs onsite received in the United States will the help of the seafarers’ based OFWs whose employ- Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) the cash assistance of whom be repatriated back in the employer, Fugro Marine ments were affected by the in various parts of the globe have 1,937 are landbased and 140 Philippines, the Philippine Personnel Pte. Ltd; and PHL COVID-19 global pandemic. been extending medical and are sea based OFWs. Lebanon Overseas Labor Office manning - Los agency, Scanmar According to POLO-LA, food assistance to OFWs since registered the most number of Angeles (POLO-LA) reported. Maritime Services. as of May 14, 2020, around the outbreak of the COVID-19 COVID-19 positive beneficiaries The individuals assisted Aside from the repatriation 1,645 sea-based OFWs have pandemic. at 1,104. for repatriation were from assistance, a one-time cash been assisted and repatriated the M/V Hugin Explorer aid of USD200, or P10,000, through the joint effort of both Drillship, a research vessel from DOLE’s Abot Kamay the Philippine Consulates currently docked at the Port of ang Pagtulong (AKAP) of Los Angeles and San Chickasaw in Mobile County, Program, were given to the Francisco. –POLO and Phil. POLOs to repat more Los Angeles. four seafarers. Consulate General-LA THE Philippine Overseas Labor Claro Arellano said of the 296 Offices (POLOs) in various repatriated OFWs, 54 were from parts of the globe have been Asia, 210 from the Middle East working in high gear arranging and 32 were from Europe and the repatriation of OFWs who Americas. either have been distressed by Of this figure, 264 are land- the COVID-19 pandemic or based workers while 32 are sea- have expired visas or terminal based workers. contracts. The returning workers were As of 29 May 2020, the provided airport assistance by POLOs have so far assisted in the Overseas Workers Welfare the repatriation of more than Administration (OWWA) and 36,000 workers who have been subjected to quarantine and displaced due to the COVID 19 COVID-19 testing protocols. pandemic. Arellano said the POLOs The Department of Labor are continuing to facilitate the and Employment, through the immediate repatriation of the various POLOs assisted in the stranded OFWs from various photo by POLO-Los Angeles repatriation of 296 overseas host countries affected by Filipino workers (OFWs) to the displacement and lockdowns due HOME BOUND. Stranded overseas Filipino seafarers are ready to board their flight and return home to their families after they were country on May 29, 2020. to the COVID-19 pandemic. assisted by the government for their repatriation back home. Labor Undersecretary

PHILIPPINE LABOR @laborandemployment 6 • AGENCIES • May 2020 Safety center migrates training online new issuance. learning of the participants. He encouraged all accredited STOs shall use the Basic STOs to submit a letter of Occupational Safety and Health application to the OSHC, (BOSH) and Construction together with their proposed Occupational Safety and Health on-line training process. The (COSH) Training modules Center will act within five daysthey have submitted to OSHC of their request as to their status for accreditation and must of their proposal. also incorporate Covid-19 Those whose proposed prevention and control training process have been measures. OSHC RO-5 Screen Grab approved will be allowed to The guidelines also limits conduct a pilot on-line training batches to 50 participants. POSTPONEMENT OF ‘FACE TO FACE’ OSH TRAININGS. File photo of Occupational Safety and Health Training conducted by the which shall be observed by a Proofs of complete Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), DOLE, and Bicol OSHNet in Legazpi City. designated OSHC personnel. attendance to all sessions and FACE-TO-FACE training by the labor department “to this time. Being the country’s Binag also said that to workshop outputs must also be among safety practitioners in the desist from conducting face-to- premier safety and health protect the participants, the submitted to OSHC before they various industries is still being face trainings amid the current advocate we want to do our on-line trainings must be issue certificates of completion. discouraged as prohibitions pandemic.” share in containing the spread compliant with the Data Privacy Other applicable provisions on mass gatherings remain in Binag said that the OSHC is of Covid-19,” Director Binag Act of 2012 and must ensure under DOLE Department Order effect across the country, said“instead encouraging all DOLE said. that registered participants No. 16 series of 2001 and other the Occupational Safety and accredited STOs to develop and He said that OSHC will are the ones hooked onto the DOLE-OSHC Memoranda on Health Center (OSHC). conduct their mandatory safety issue an interim accreditation actual training. Other features the conduct of OSH trainings OSHC Executive Director and health trainings through to each DOLE-accredited STO of the virtual training should must be complied by all STOs. Noel Binag has issued an online platforms.” who want to conduct real-time, include a “catch-up” policy for Non-compliance may result interim guideline directing “Ensuring the protection of self-directed, or blended on- participants who lag behind, in the suspension or revocation all safety and training all workers and their families line training formats subject to and knowledge measurement of their interim accreditation. organizations (STOs) accredited is of utmost importance at the guidelines provided in the tools to assess the level of –Diana Joy Romero

POEA warns anew vs Webinar on Telecommuting organized AS WORKPLACES prepare for concerning its implications Tacadao, an ILS researcher, titled email scam victimizing the new normal, the Institute for beyond the pandemic and how as “A Descriptive Study on Off- Labor Studies (ILS) has conducted organizations and government Site Work Arrangement in the a webinar that promotes adoption institutions can better equip theirPhilippines”. To download a unsuspecting OFWs of telecommuting as alternative workers for the realities facing the copy, interested individuals may working arrangement. future of work. go the link: https://ils.dole.gov. THE Philippine Overseas documents is a sure sign of a The activity titled as, “Re- This was complemented with ph/a-descriptive-study-on-off- Think Work Arrangements: the presentation of a related site-work-arrangement-in-the- Employment Administration scam. Telecommuting Post-COVID”, was study conducted by Miraluna philippines/. –ILS (POEA) again advises overseas He advised applicants to co-organized by ILS together with jobseekers to disregard emails validate the authenticity of job the Asian Institute of Management informing them of selection offers with the POEA through (AIM) RSN Policy Center, Konrad- for supposed employment in its verification system at poea. Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), and the countries like United Kingdom, gov.ph and hotlines 7221144 International Labour Organization Canada, and the United States and 7221155. (ILO) on 21 May 2020 and streamed of America. The administrator also live on AIM’s Facebook account. The POEA warns all urged the public to immediately The virtual forum extensively prospective OFWs to beware report any suspicious or illegal tackled the growing reality and of an email with the standard online recruitment activities to practical need for remote work subject line of “Last 8 slots left the Anti-Illegal Recruitment arrangements in both the private and public sectors to prevent the for XYZ INTERNATIONAL Branch’s Operations and suppression of vital economic MANPOWER SERVICES Surveillance Division at email and bureaucratic activities during (POEA License No. 1223- [email protected]. pandemics and disruptions. 3837) for the first 20 applicants–POEA Also tackled were issues for Canada June 2020 Deployment”. POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said to show appearance of legitimacy, the Online legal assistance on scammer uses the name of a licensed Philippine recruitment agency without the latter’s overseas employment intensified knowledge to entice its victims. The scammer promises EVEN in an era of lockdowns With the imposition of the OFWs). legal assistance for OFWs is high salaries, non-payment of and viral pandemonium, quarantine, POEA continued Reports on illegal recruitment critical considering the stoppage placement and processing fees the Philippine Overseas to offer its legal assistanceand recruitment violations were of public transport services and and other too-good-to-be-true Employment Administration service with the re-launch of the also handled and endorsed for the new regime of government remunerations. (POEA) is not letting itsPOEA Legalguard Assistance Online proper investigation. online transactions. The target victim is asked down in its campaign against platform and via e-mail. The revival of the online The POEA encourages to pay P3,000 as reservation fee illegal recruiters. With the platform’s relaunch, services is incorporated in overseas jobseekers, OFWs and to be sent through a remittance The POEA has relaunched its POEA lawyers have been able to Memorandum Circular No. 12 their immediate families to company for the supposed online legal assistance platform assist more than 620 jobseekers (series of 2020), issued by POEA avail of free legal assistance by mandatory orientation seminar so that prospective overseas since the start of the community Administrator Bernard Olalia. It logging on to the POEA Legal to be conducted at the office workers could be unburdened quarantine in mid-March. The outlines an intensified offering Assistance online platform at of the licensed recruitment from personally going to its online queries included contract of legal assistance during this legalassistance.poea.gov.ph agency. office to personally seekviolations, legal non- payment of challenging time. or e-mail the Legal Assistance advice and counselling. wages and benefits, variousThe said memorandum Division at legalassistance. Olalia said any unsolicited Prior to the COVID-19 forms of abuse, among others. circular was issued to ensure [email protected]. job offer through e-mail and pandemic, clients personally Aside from legal advice, POEA an effective delivery of legal For more information, please social media which requires go to the POEA officelawyers in also provided welfare services in order to safeguard visit the POEA website or the payment of fees for seminar, Ortigas to seek legal advice assistance related to repatriation the rights and welfare of the POEA Anti-Illegal Recruitment documentation, and processing and counselling on a range of and the DOLE-AKAP (DOLE’s country’s modern-day heroes. Branch Facebook page at www. of visa and other travel overseas employment issues. cash assistance program for The provision of the online facebook.com/airbranch. –POEA

dole.gov.ph PHILIPPINE LABOR May 2020 • THE REGIONS • 7 Dep't wields hammer and Region 2 goes virtual TUGUEGARAO CITY — (AEP), availing a Construction Good news for advocates Safety and Health Program olive leaf in Occ. Mindoro of physical distancing and (CSHP), and the filing for a efficiency in governmentRegistration in of Establishment PALUAN, OCCIDENTAL The department is deep in the and development through the Region 2. The Department (Rule 1020). MINDORO — Being in charge fight to attain peace especially provision of vital services to of Labor and Employment The move is also part of of the labor sector doesn’t in the few remaining provinces the poor especially in a time of Region 2 (DOLE-2) is now the department’s effort to mean that the role of the labor still with some semblance of crisis. offering some of its help major in the government’s department is solely confined communist insurgency, such as In the program, Mindoro programs and services online. austerity program since the to implementing the country’s the island of Mindoro. Field Office head Carlo DOLE-2 has migrated its processing of transactions labor laws, harnessing Last May 20, 2020 DOLE- Villaflores, who represented services online not only to online means saving residents employment and ensuring joined Governor Regional Director Albert help instill the importance of from incurring expenses fair labor practices among Eduardo Gadiano in launching Gutib, showcased DOLE’s physical distancing during through the processing of industries. the program “Ugnayan sa Kabuhayan and Emergency the pandemic, but to effectdocuments in person, such as The Department of Labor and Barangay and Relief Goods Employment programs by DOLE’s long-running thrust entailing food, transportation Employment (DOLE) is a vital Distribution,” in Occidental giving out short stint work to 56 of modernizing its services and other ancillary costs. cog in government’s peace and Mindoro. local beneficiaries; organizing and making them more DOLE-2 is also ready to accessible to the people. launch its new regional website development agenda and is a key Part of the effort ofthree workers’ the association DOLE’s client’s and aligned with the Department player in the implementation Provincial Task Force to End for women, fisherfolks, and stakeholders in the region, of Science and Technology’s of President ’s Local Communist Armed indigenous people; and can now access the following online transactions and is Executive Order No. 70 which Conflict (TF-ELCAC),initiating the children’s welfare services through their home capacitating its staff and institutionalizes the “whole-of- the program was part of Project Angel Tree with public wifi connections: availmentemployees on the merits nation” approach in attaining government’s drive to address elementary school teachers. of the Government Internship of virtual meetings and inclusive and sustainable peace poverty and social issues by –Gener Francisco Program (GIP), getting an transactions. –Chester Carlo throughout the country. closing gaps in governance Alien Employment Permit Trinidad

Biliran gets big tailor dreams

TACLOBAN CITY — The small reminded the beneficiaries to be town of Kawayan, Biliran, now grateful with the assistance they has a lot of enterprising tailors receive and to exercise proper thanks to the generosity of care in using the equipment. the Department of Labor and He likewise thanked DOLE for Employment, Region 8 (DOLE-8). its continuing assistance and Fifty senior citizens of support to the people of Biliran. Kawayan, all of them women, Biliran FO Chief Valuis, were given one sewing machine who represented DOLE Eastern each under DOLE’s Integrated Visayas Director Yahya Centi, Livelihood Program so that they assured that DOLE will continue could pursue their dreams of to be of service to the entire region putting up a tailoring venture evenin in the midst of the global their homes. health crisis. photo by DOLE RO-8 Biliran Field Office The assistance, which was “We would like to assure worth P600,000 was released you that DOLE will continue to LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT. Biliran women and senior citizens each receive a sewing machine as a livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment and the local government unit of Kawayan. by Biliran Field Office Chiefdeliver its Fe programs and services Norma Valuis and Senior Labor amid this COVID crisis. Let us and Employment Officer Imelda help one another and do our part Codilan, together with the local in containing the disease. I know government unit of Kawayan, led the equipment you have now will by Mayor Rogelio Espina, at the help you cope with the difficult “Don’t miss your inspectors,” municipal grounds of Kawayan, situation we are in now,” said Biliran, last May 27, 2020. Valuis. –Norma Rae Costimiano RO-7 tells establishments Mayor Espina, in his message, with reports from Imelda Codilan CITY — The labor establishments to viral risks. Establishments with department will not be As of now, all of us have pending compliance for recent IPs and the jobless given conducting actual labor to be proactive. And being the post-inspection infractions inspections for the duration primary advocate of our labor and non-compliance of labor of the quarantine imposed by laws we have to be lead in the laws need not worry because aid in government in Region 7. practice of ‘Safety first’.” their compliance period have “We would like to inform Routine inspections involve temporarily been suspended SURIGAO DEL NORTE – DOLE’s Surigao del Norte provincial our clients that DOLE will not the physical inspection of a by Labor Secretary Silvestre office has continued to extend help to the indigents andthe be conducting any face-to-face business establishment, or Bello III in keeping with the jobless in the province. inspection in the region while factory floor, by a laborgovernment’s inspector directive to Some 3,121 beneficiaries in Surigao del Norte received their the community quarantine which the inspector does in the ensure social distancing in all salaries amounting to P10,037,120 from the Department of Labor is still in effect,” presence Regional of representatives communities. and Employment – Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Office Director Salome Siaton recently from both management and the Labor-related mandatory (DOLE-SDNPFO) in tandem with the LGUs. declared. workers. Unlike a complaint conferences, which were The aid, which comes from DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay The labor department inspection, the inspection scheduled before the imposition sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) Workers #Barangay usually conducts three basic doesn’t require the filingof the community of quarantines Ko, Bahay Ko (#BKBK) program, was released by DOLE-SDNPFO inspections: routine inspection, a complaint because routine will be rescheduled once the together with the provincial Public Employment Service Office complaint inspection and inspections, are regular, year- lockdowns are lifted, Siaton (PESO) of the province on May 4, 2020. occupational safety and health round inspections conducted explained. The beneficiaries included 150 members of the local indigenous investigation. According to on all businesses and all types of “Despite all these limitations, peoples from the town of Malimono; most of the others were Siaton, all three have been industries to check compliance the DOLE continues to exert workers-beneficiaries hired to work in their respective barangays placed on hold. with labor laws and standards. its best effort in delivering itsfor the on-going government emergency employment program. She disclosed that routine “Conducting such programs and services while The TUPAD #BKBK is one of the government programs inspections could remain inspections would be unwise treating as top priority the safety facilitated by DOLE to aid the informal sector workers who are affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Under the program, suspended even after the lifting especially in areas that have of all especially during worker-beneficiary will be required to work four hours aday of the community quarantine, shown an increase in positive this pandemic,” Director Siaton for 10 days and will perform disinfection and sanitation of their “because the inspection exposes cases of COVID-19, such as in said. –Luchel Senarlo-Taniza houses and immediate vicinity within their barangay. –DOLE- not only the labor inspectors but the cities of Mandaue, Lapulapu CARAGA also the employees or owners of and Cebu,” Siaton said.

PHILIPPINE LABOR @laborandemployment • THE GOOD NEWS • DOLE maintains Fisherman benefits from FOI compliance TUPAD amid pandemic ko gipaayo gihapon sa akong A WORLD full of The PCOO said DOLE sakayan nga maoy among mistrust, fake news, and got the distinction for its panginabuhian. Dili na kaayo unaccountability requires full compliance with the ko mabalaka unsa ako ipakaon the strengthening of trust, requirements of the enhanced sa akong mga tigulang bisan madugay pa ang quarantine honesty, and transparency, Freedom of Information kay makapanagat naman ko”. (I especially in public service. (FOI) program, as well used the salary I received from This is the goal of the as for the department’s TUPAD to buy one sack of rice as government’s Freedom of timely compliance with the well as to repair my fishing boat Information program. requirements provided in since fishing is my main means The institutionalization of the Administrative Order of livelihood. This gave me an transparency and account- (AO) 25 issued by the Inter- assurance that I can now provide ability in government. Agency Task Force on the food on the table especially for Since the program’s Harmonization of National my aged parents even if this inception in 2016, only Government Performance quarantine takes longer since I a proud few among the Monitoring, Information and can now fish with my repaired photo by DOLE RO-7 vast array of government Reporting Systems. boat).” departments and offices It said DOLE had Under the program, Danilo FISHERMAN GETS LIVELIHOOD AID. Danilo Paalisbo, a Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa have consistently complied remarkably institutionalized Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) #Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko (TUPAD #BKBK) and hundreds of his townmates with the precepts of the mandatory requirements beneficiary in Siquijor province, worked for 10 days cleaning the surroundings of his home cleaned and disinfected their transparency in government such as the provision of and community. own homes and barangays for and full disclosure among its an updated People's FOI four hours every day for almost denizens. Manual, duly signed by the CEBU CITY — In an example of in the province of Siquijor. two weeks. Danilo, just like with how it helps alleviate poverty In a time when on most The Department of Labor head of agency and uploaded the rest, was paid P404.00 a day while at the same time helping normal days he brings home and Employment (DOLE) in the agency Transparency or a total of P4,040.00 for 10 days, fight a pandemic, the labor a small basket of fish caught was recently awarded with a Seal page; provision which he personally claimed at department has tapped the help off Siquijor Bay, Danilo the has DOLE-7’s partner money certificate of full compliance of regular FOI reports of rural folk in some of its anti- expressed gladness for being as recognition for its uploaded in the agency remittance center. poverty programs while at the “part of DOLE’s short stint work Apart from the salary, Danilo programs and procedures Transparency Seal page; and same time lending a hand in the program, considering how hard that have hewed closely to making available screenshots said that TUPAD #BKBK also fight against a dreaded virus in it is for anyone to find work in a taught him how it is to properly the virtues of honesty and of the agency website home rural communities. time of pandemic.” and diligently clean one’s home accountability. page containing visible and Danilo Paalisbo, is a 33 “Para na ko, ang TUPAD since there are representatives DOLE received the functional FOI logo linked to year old fisherman in Siquijor,maoy lig-ong nagpamatuod of their own barangay, who award from the Presidential its electronic FOI portal. Siquijor. nga kaming mga pobre wala regularly monitored the work he Communications Operations The award qualifies He is one of the pasagdai sa atong goberno was doing. Office (PCOO), the DOLE for the granting of its 788 beneficiaries ofkay kamithe ang permamenting “Ang maong programa coordinating agency of the Performance-Based Bonus Department of Labor and gihimong priority (For me, nagtudlo pud nako sa Freedom of Information— (PBB) for Fiscal Year 2019. Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong the TUPAD program is a solid pagpanglimpyo sa among Project Management Office–Marione Giezen Santos Panghanapbuhay sa Ating proof that the government never panimalay, unya karon bisan (FOI-PMO). Disadvantaged/Displaced neglects the poor),” he said natapos na ang TUPAD #BKBK, Workers (TUPAD) # Barangay Danilo. ganahan lang gihapon ko Ko, Bahay Ko (TUPAD # BKBK) For Danilo, what was manglimpyo,” saying further significant was not thethat sack cleaning of their little shanty rice that he was able to buy from has made it an ambience of ease the pay he got from his short and relaxation. job—although it was definitely In its recent iteration, the important—but how he used DOLE TUPAD program in part of his salary to repair his overall in , has damaged banca. benefitted more than 15,000 “Ang sweldo na ko gikan workers in the informal sector sa TUPAD, ako dayong gipalit with the DOLE shelling out ug usa ka sakong bugas para a total of P61,318,620. –Luchel namu labi na sa akong mga Senarlo-Taniza with reporting from tigulang nga mga ginikanan. Na DOLE-Siquijor Field Office AKAP: A STORY OF JOY AND PAIN IN POLO GENEVA

GENEVA — Without heralding their sacrifices, the the Philippine government. The government is borrowing “We patiently explain that DOLE’s AKAP fund is limited Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) are deep in the to assist Filipinos stricken or left jobless by COVID-19, and is not meant to be a remedy to all their financial problems. trenches of the exploding battlefields that is the corona virus and government is doing this so that no Filipino should go The heartening thing is that, in the end, they see the light.” pandemic. hungry or die because of the disease.” "The AKAP fund we are administering is sacred. It is a The POLOs, which is the labor department’s operational “Generations may have to pay for the borrowed money social amelioration program that prioritizes the thousands of tip in its mandate to assist overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) but there is no recourse but to respond to the needs of those OFWs that have been truly displaced economically by the wherever they may be throughout the world, have been who need help during this punishing times.” pandemic. No part of it should be given to anyone outside of inundated by a flood of casualties reeling from the health “The money is, sacred. Sacred. So it must be managed the thousands that need it most." and economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus, which has hit well. It must go to those who need it the most. Like the “We feel uplifted when we are able to make them the world like a global conflagration. P10,000 for every OFW, that Secretary Silvestre Bello appreciate the sense of equity and social justice that the fund The staff of the overseas labor office in Geneva abound fought for, so that OFWs can at least have this minimum is meant for. Even if we have to do it in so many words, we with stories of sadness and joy; an ambivalence of dread form of assistance in this dreadful times.” say sorry for denying many requests. But they thank us for and fulfillment especially when they started giving out “We are touched when an OFW says, ‘Thank you.’ Our enlightening them.” government’s cash aid to OFWs left unemployed and day is made when this happens. And this happens often.” “In fact, other our counterparts from other poor and displaced by the dreaded virus. “But we get sad, too, especially when we have to deny developing countries are impressed because they do not have The POLO crew were overwhelmed as much by an applications for assistance.” an aid program similar to AKAP that helps their migrant inundation of calls for help as well as with the melancholic “We mostly deny requests from those who may not be workers.” air of a time in crisis. working due to the pandemic, but are still receiving their Implementing the AKAP program is challenging. We get The foregoing is an oral transcript taken from the wages or have substantial financial assistance from the their sad for those whose applications we deny, including those thoughts and actions of the small crew that comprises POLO host governments such as social insurance payments.” who try our patience. But it can be emotionally rewarding Geneva when they started giving out DOLE’s "Abot-Kamay “With a heavy heart we explain to them that the aid when our OFWs thank us. We know DOLE is helping tide Ang Pagtulong” (AKAP) assistance program for OFWs: is for OFWs that have truly lost their jobs and income as them over in this difficult times.” “Of course, the money we sent the OFWs did not a consequence of emergency measures to contain the “This gives meaning to what we do.” –POLO-Geneva come from the pocket of POLO-Geneva. It comes from coronavirus in their host country.”