THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Ilocos regional office is urging business owners that have closed amid the pandemic to report their company’s status so the department could assist their displaced employees.
In the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas Pangasinan chapter virtual forum on Thursday, DOLE-1 regional director Nathaniel Lacambra said their reporting to DOLE would help employees claim unemployment insurance from the Social Security System (SSS).
“There were instances when a displaced employee was asking for certification of displacement from us, but the employer did not report to us so we could not right away give certification. Please report displacement so we could see the whole picture of unemployment amid the pandemic in the region,” he said.
He added displaced employees may also seek possible livelihood assistance from DOLE.
“We ask them if they want to start their own business and we assist them in making their own business proposal. We refer them to institutions, such (as) banks or other government agencies, that may provide capital for their business proposal,” Lacambra said.
If a displaced employee prefers going back to employment, DOLE tries to find available job vacancies or refer him or her to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for skills upgrade, he said.
DOLE also offers cash for work program under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged or Displaced Workers (TUPAD), he added.
“Through TUPAD, they will work in their communities for a couple of days and DOLE will give them salary,” Lacambra said.
In the entire Ilocos Region, some 215 establishments have reported closure due to the pandemic’s impact on their businesses.
Of the total number, 22 have permanently closed, 126 reduced their workforce, and 19 have temporarily closed.
Lacambra said most of these establishments were in accommodation, tourism, insurance, retail of vehicles and other products, and arts and entertainment, among others. (By Hilda Austria)
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