More cash aid for workers hit by COVID

More Filipino workers are set to benefit from the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE) second tranche of the Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program. 

During the Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said AKAP programs will get P2 billion under Republic Act (RA) 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

“We are very grateful to the Congress and our dear President for Bayanihan 2. We will have a new round of AKAP cash aid distribution,” he said.

Cacdac said the allotted budget for the program will benefit at least 200,000.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11494 on Friday, allocating P165.5 billion fund to enhance the government’s coronavirus response as well as economic recovery efforts.

DoLE will get P13 billion to aid displaced workers through cash-for-work and other assistance programs.

“With this, we hope to able to assist our formal and informal and overseas workers,” said DoLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III.