DOLE allots P122-M employment aid amid feared economic slump

MANILA, Philippines – Amid fears of an economic recession in 2009, the labor department has allocated at least P122 million for the implementation of employment assistance programs for those who might be displaced as a result of the financial slump.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is also ready to allocate additional budget for the emergency assistance program if the “situation requires (it).”

“We are willing and ready to realign our budget if it requires us to expand programs for displaced workers,” Roque said.

At this time, Roque said a total of P122 million is already on standby for the implementation of the Workers Income and Augmentation Program (WINAP) and Adjustment Measures Program (AMP).

He said the amount may possibly be used to help local government units nationwide in financing rehabilitation projects in their province.

The financial aid would be used for the temporary employment of displaced workers who will be hired to work in the reconstruction of schools, bridges, roads and other infrastructure projects.

Displaced workers would also get livelihood and skills training programs and other projects to augment their income.

“The emergency employment assistance would provide displaced workers with short-term employment until their livelihood have been fully restored,” Roque explained.

However, the DOLE chief remained confident that the financial crisis would not seriously affect the employment of Filipino workers both here and abroad.

“We expect only minimal effect since we are providing other employment options for those likely to be affected,” Roque said. He said these are workers in the country’s manufacturing and export sectors as well as Filipino seafarers working in cargo and cruise ships.

“But seafarers in cruise ships can work in hotels and international cruise ships are considering shifting to the European market to minimize the impact of the US economic slump,” Roque added.

He said DOLE is also negotiating with Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Middle East countries that are unaffected by the crisis for the hiring of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who might be displaced by the economic crunch.  – Mayen Jaymalin