Government agencies and financial institutions are extending a lifeline to workers severely impacted by the recent torrential rains and flooding brought about by Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.
On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed concerned agencies to “swiftly provide assistance” to those affected. In response, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to offer its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program, providing cash for temporary work from a minimum of ten to a 90-day work period. However, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma noted potential budget constraints pending assessments from regional offices.
State-run institutions like the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), and the Pag-IBIG or Home Development Mutual Fund have allocated billions of pesos for calamity loans to assist their members.GSIS has earmarked P18.5 billion for over 800,000 members and pensioners in affected areas across the country, while Pag-IBIG has also released funds for calamity loans to qualified members.
Members of the Social Security System (SSS) social insurance program will also be offered loans to aid their recovery,according to SSS president Rolando Ledesma Macasaet.
Despite the assistance, workers who earn minimum wages have expressed dissatisfaction with the measly economic assistance even before the onslaught of the typhoon. Earlier this July, the labor-led National Wage Coalition (NWC) decried the nationwide wage review ordered by Marcos, which the group claimed failed to help workers.
They deemed the P35 additional wage approved earlier this month by several regional wage boards, including that in Metro Manila, insufficient amidst rising inflation and recurring disasters.