46k displaced teachers receive cash aid

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Sunday said that at least 45,715 teachers and other teaching personnel displaced because of the distant learning being implemented amid the pandemic were provided cash assistance by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

In his daily online program, “Counterpoint,” Panelo added that the DoLE under the Bureau of Local Employment headed by director Rolly Francia has released a total of P228 million to the displaced teachers and teaching personnel.

“Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has questioned the slow implementation of the cash assistance for the affected teachers and teaching personnel after his statement, DoLE expedited the process,” Panelo said.

He added that at least P300 million has been allocated for the program.

“According to the DoLE, there is still P62 million money left and there are no more applicants,” he said.

Panelo said that an additional 14,000 workers from the education sector will benefit from the program with the remaining funding.

“We cannot blame the DoLE as it only following the procedure in the processing of the applications for the program. The DoLE needs to double check the information submitted by the applicants,” he said.

“The DoLE needs to ensure that the applicants are really qualified for the financial assistance,” according to Panelo.

Many teachers and teaching personnel were displaced following the prohibition in the face-to-face classes and the implementation of the distant learning.

On the other hand, Panelo thanked Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolly Bautista after acting on the complaint on non-release of Social Amelioration Program to a beneficiary.