MANILA, Philippines – Filipino families whose livelihood would be severely affected by the weeklong enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces will be provided with assistance from the government, Malacañang said.

“Dahil naintindihan po ni Presidente na habang tayo’y naka-ECQ eh walang pupuwedeng magtrabaho, magkakaroon po tayong tulong na ipamimigay sa ating mga kababayan,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said a press briefing.

The details of the assistance to be provided during the ECQ period have yet to be announced but Roque assured it will be distributed in the month of April.

“Well siyempre po kasi sa lockdown, mahirap mamigay ng tulong at isang linggo lang naman ito. Pero ang target po natin, hindi rin naman po matatapos ang buwan ng Abril eh makakarating iyong tulong na ibibigay ng gobyerno sa mga nangangailangan,” he said.

Among those who are expected to receive assistance are family-beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and other indigent families.

The NCR and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna – called the ‘NCR Plus’ bubble – have been placed under ECQ from March 29 to April 4 in a bid to quell the rise in COVID-19 cases in the country. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Rosalie Coz)

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assured that local and overseas workers affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will receive government assistance.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III called out to employers in the private sectors as well as OFWs to register to their programs that provide case assistance.

“DOLE’s COVID-19 Adjustment Measure Program or CAMP offers one-time five thousand pesos financial support to employees of companies or business establishments that have adopted flexible work arrangements or temporary closure due to the COVID 19 pandemic,” DOLE said in a statement.

“For the overseas Filipino workers whose employment was affected by the pandemic, DOLE will be also providing a one-time 10 thousand pesos assistance,” DOLE added.

Meanwhile, DOLE is implementing emergency employment assistance for informal sector workers through the TUPAD BKK program or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers – #Barangay Ko Bahay Ko.

“Qualified beneficiaries will receive daily minimum wage for 10 days by disinfecting their houses and vicinity. Aside from the daily wage, workers will get personal accident insurance, personal protective equipment, and cleaning kit,” the Labor Department said.

To avail any of the DOLE programs visit their website, official Facebook page or contact them at DOLE Hotline: 1349.-AAC

MANILA, Philippines — Players from UNTV Cup – the Liga of Public Servants – are set to join the Wish Olympics, a charity sports and entertainment event for the benefit of the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption.

Among the players are PNP Responders’ Mariano “Neil Perez” Flormata Jr. and Anton Tolentino, Julius Casaysayan of Agriculture Food Masters, Rod William Vasallo of PITC Global Traders and Carlo Gonzalez of GSIS Furies.

PBA Legends and UNTV Cup Commissioners Atoy Co and Ed Cordero, as well as PBA Legends Allan Caidic, Johnny Abarrientos, Jayjay Helterbrand, Chris Calaguio, and Willie Miller, will also be gracing the event and extend their support.

Spearheaded by Wish 107.5 innovator and public service advocate, Kuya Daniel Razon, Wish Olympics will be held on February 23, 2020, at Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

It is aimed at extending more charity works to the people of Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna who have been severely affected by the explosion of the Taal Volcano.

Since the first week of the calamity, UNTV and the Members Church of God International, together with local and national government agencies have been carrying out medical missions and relief efforts for the victims.

Razon said he realizes the enormity of the eruption’s aftermath and that it will take months before the evacuees could carry on again with their normal lives.

This, he said, prompted him to think of ways to better extend assistance to the victims, and such is by way of the said sports and entertainment event.

It will be participated in by artists like Morisette, Imago, Clara Benin, Jayda, The Juans, The Wishfuls, Rhea Basco, Mark Herras, JayR, Rayver Cruz, Ejay Falcon, Young JV, Jordan Herrera, Adrian Alandy, James Blanco, Albie Casino, Gerhard Acao and Axel Torres.

Professional volleyball players and TV/movie personalities such as Gretchen Ho, Kathy Bersola, Claudia Barretto, Gwen Zamora, Roma Joy Doromal, Che Sindayen, Jem Ferrer, Patcharee Saengmuang, Sandy Delos Santos, Aya Fernandez, Casey Da Silva, Ana Gopico, Amanda Villanueva, Nicole Tiamzon, Heather Guino-o, and Erika Alkuino will also team up for a friendly volleyball match.