Everything you need to know about DOLE’s CAMP and TUPAD #BKBK

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) put together programs such as CAMP and TUPAD #BKBK to provide assistance to formal and informal sector workers affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Here are the details.

COVID-19 ADJUSTMENT MEASURES PROGRAM (CAMP)

1. What is CAMP and who are qualified for this?
   It is a cash assistance for employees from the formal sectors or workers hired by private companies or establishments regardless of their employment status (permanent, probationary, or contractual). Employees who are displaced within ECQ can also be included in the list of beneficiaries.
2. What are the benefits?
   Each employee will receive one-time Php 5,000.
    
3. Who can submit the application?
   The employers will be the one to apply. In cases that the employers weren’t able to submit, the employee can apply directly to DOLE and be the one to submit the requirements. DOLE also recommends to include other co-workers or to file as a group.
    
4. What are the requirements?
   1. Establishment Report Form on the COVID-19 (Download here)
       
   2. Company Payroll or Employee Payslip for the month February or earlier. If there is no available payroll or payslip, you can also submit a photo/scanned copy of your employee payment logbook, SSS payment list or other proof that employee is paid by employer.
       
   3. For faster processing, DOLE-NCR also requests for a copy of payroll account number and company payroll’s bank name/branch.
       

    

5. How to apply and what are the steps involved?
   1. E-mail all the requirements to the appropriate DOLE Regional Office, Provincial Office or Field Office where your company is located. E-mail subject must be: “APPLICATION FOR COVID-19 AMP”
       
   2. DOLE will evaluate the documents within three (3) working days from receipt date. A “Notice of Completion” will be issued by DOLE via email. Please be reminded that there might be delays on the processing time due to the volume of requests and the skeletal work arrangement of DOLE personnel.
       
   3. DOLE-NCR will inform the applicant if approved or denied via E-MAIL or SMS.
       
   4. Priority will be given to workers who are earning within minimum wage
       

    

6. How and when will the workers receive the cash assistance?
   It will be sent to the employee’s bank account registered by the employer and will be distributed 2 weeks after completion of requirements.

TULONG PANGHANAPBUHAY SA ATING DISADVANTAGED/DISPLACED WORKERS PROGRAM (TUPAD) #BARANGAY KO, BAHAY KO DISINFECTION/SANITATION PROJECT (#BKBK)

1. What is TUPAD #BKBK and who are qualified to this?
   It is a community-based safety net program that will provide temporary employment to workers from the informal sectors who are either underemployed, self-employed or displaced marginalized workers whose earnings are affected due to ECQ.
2. What are the benefits?
   Beneficiaries will be given employment for 4 hrs/day for 10 days. They will get paid the minimum wage in the region for a day’s work. This is also a one-time grant and for further assistance, DOLE can refer them to DSWD.
3. Who will submit the application?
   Barangay captains, mayors, or other local government officials should facilitate the applications to the nearest DOLE Regional Office/ Provincial / Field Office.
4. What are the requirements for LGUs?
   1. Letter of Intent
       
   2. TUPAD Work Program
       
   3. List of beneficiaries
       
   4. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DOLE and the Barangay/LGU. Contract of service is also accepted.
       

    

5. How to apply?
   1. Workers will need to go to your barangay office or municipality’s Public Employment Office to have their name listed in the beneficiaries. For groups, DOLE recommends the listing to be done by a group representative.
       
   2. For individual application, send an email to your regional DOLE office.
       
   3. DOLE will conduct a quick validation with your LGU.
       

6. How will the workers receive their pay?
   It will be sent via money remittance (Palawan Express) which will be organized by your LGU/ barangay. 50% of the payment will be given at 5th day of work and the remaining payment at the end of the 10-day working period. For areas with no money remittance available, your local government can coordinate with DOLE for cash payout.
    

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. If an employee has used up all leave credits because of COVID-19 symptoms, is it legal for the employer to fire said employee?
   The company has no right to fire a PUI or PUM. In times like this, DOLE appeals to employers to exercise compassion towards their workers. There are existing benefits for COVID-19 patients under the Bayanihan Act.
    
2. Is it legal for employers to let go of workers during COVID-19?
   The law is not suspended during the ECQ period. Private companies cannot dismissed employees unless it’s due to authorized reasons and if employee is guilty of misconduct, due process must still be followed. For any cases of unreasonable dismissal, employee can call DOLE hotline 1349 and they will coordinate with the employer.
3. Are there sanctions for employers who did not file for financial assistance under CAMP?
   There is no penalty included under the CAMP guidelines for employers who weren’t able to submit applications. However, DOLE recognizes this concern and they are appealing to employers to start filing for this benefit. DOLE is also working on improving the guidelines to provide alternative documents so employers can submit requirements if payroll is not available.
    
4. Are employers allowed to deduct the Php 5,000 assistance from worker’s salary, if the money is not yet issued by DOLE?
   The CAMP cash assistance is a “grant” for the employee. Employers should not deduct the amount to employee’s salary especially if the application has not been approved.
    
5. How can a worker not included in the company payroll get the cash assistance from CAMP?
   The worker or employer applying for assistance must provide other documents to prove that worker is an employee of the company. Example: Employee salary logbook, SSS A-list (list of employees who paid for SSS contributions) and payslip.
    
6. Are retired workers included in the DOLE financial assistance program? How about Senior Citizens?
   Retired workers who have no employers and Senior Citizens are not covered by CAMP. They can be covered by TUPAD if they are fit to work. If they are not qualified for CAMP and TUPAD but in need of help, they can ask financial assistance from DSWD’s AICS program (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) ranging from Php3,000 to Php5,000.
    
7. What financial assistance can OFWs get from the Government during this pandemic?
   The Government will facilitate the repatriation process for OFWs coming back in the Philippines. If they are from countries with high COVID-19 cases (China, Japan, South Korea etc.), Government will also arrange their quarantine facilities. The Government is also working on the guidelines for OFW’s financial assistance program worth PHP10,000.
8. Do we have a monitoring system to ensure all applications are processed by DOLE and all funds distributed?
   DOLE has a database system that holds all application information including company name, address, date of filing, beneficiaries and status of approval. According to policy, Regional and Field offices should acknowledge receipt of the documents. DOLE is asking for everyone’s patience due to the large number of applications received by their offices. To know the status of your company/individual application, visit your regional DOLE office website.

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