Manila: Workers and their families affected by the 7.8 magnitude quake in Mindanao will get cash aid, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino stated that the agency's regional offices and the Employees' Compensation Commission would focus on profiling the affected workers.
According to Philippines News Agency, under existing ECC regulations, affected workers are eligible to receive PHP15,000 in financial assistance. Families of workers who died in the disaster could be granted an additional PHP30,000 as a funeral benefit. Tolentino highlighted that the DOLE and ECC are responsible for providing this financial assistance, which includes the mentioned funeral support.
Aside from ECC assistance, workers who temporarily lost their income due to the disaster may be covered by the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. This initiative offers a daily minimum wage to beneficiaries who engage in specific work tasks. Tolentino noted that profiling is ongoing as DOLE gathers and secures necessary equipment and resources in affected regional offices, particularly in Soccsksargen. He stressed that workers should not be compelled to report to work in establishments that remain unsafe following the earthquake.
In an effort to enhance response capabilities, Tolentino announced plans to establish a dedicated rescue and quick reaction team within the agency. "Within this week, I'm creating a DOLE rescue team, similar to what I did during my MMDA days, so that we will have quick reaction personnel ready for deployment wherever they are needed," he said. Tolentino also intends to expand the role of occupational safety and health to include mental health considerations, acknowledging the trauma many have experienced.
Additionally, Tolentino revealed plans to strengthen the Occupational Safety and Health Committee Regional Extension Units to ensure swift emergency response for workers. He noted that current personnel numbers in regional units are limited, which he aims to enhance in light of recent events. The quake that struck Sarangani province and nearby areas on June 8 displaced over 32,926 families across several regions in Mindanao, with Regions 11 and 12 experiencing the highest impact.
