Boracay workers to receive aid — DOLE

Workers affected by the six-month closure of Boracay will soon receive monthly financial assistance from the government, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.

In a department order, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said DOLE shall provide affected workers with monthly financial relief to mitigate the adverse economic impact of Boracay’s closure.

“The amount of financial support is equivalent to 50 percent of the prevailing minimum wage of Western Visayas Region or P4,205 per month and shall be provided for a maximum period of six months,” Bello said.

For retained workers who do not receive regular wage, DOLE is giving monthly financial support of P2,102 or 25 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in Western Visayas.

Under the DOLE’s guidelines, workers in the formal sector whose employment was interrupted and workers who were terminated due to suspension in operations of establishments in Boracay can avail themselves of the monthly financial aid.

Retained workers who do not receive regular wage following the closure of Boracay are also qualified to receive cash relief.

Affected workers who want to avail themselves of the financial grant may file their application and other requirements with the DOLE Western Visayas Regional Office and satellite offices.

Application shall be evaluated within three working days.

DOLE’s regional officer shall deposit the first tranche of financial support directly to the beneficiary’s account in the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The financial assistance will be discontinued and notice of completion issued once a beneficiary obtains full-time wage employment prior to the end of the program.

Boracay was closed last April 26 and is set to reopen in October.

Bello said the department has allocated P448 million for the implementation of the Adjustment Measures Program for affected workers.

Aside from giving financial grant, DOLE will also facilitate the re-employment of affected workers and provide training to upgrade their skills and improve employability.