Over 1 million workers nationwide lose jobs due to COVID-19 quarantine – DOLE

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12)— Over 1 million workers nationwide have been displaced due to the implemented COVID-19 quarantine measures, the Labor Department reported Sunday.

Citing information from its regional offices, the department said some 1,048,649 workers in the formal sector were affected by temporary business closures or flexible work arrangements.

Metro Manila recorded the highest displacement numbers as of Sunday with 246,810 affected workers, according to DOLE. Central Luzon came in second with 179,875 workers, followed by Calabarzon and Davao region which listed 99,178 and 90,414, respectively.

Region 2 or Cagayan Valley reported 75,189 displaced workers, followed by Central Visayas (51,150), Cordillera Region (46,614), Region 10 or Northern Mindanao (46,351), and the Bicol region (41,322).

DOLE added that the majority of the affected workers include those from the manufacturing, hotel, restaurants and tourism, and education sectors.

Labor officials said the agency was already able to assist about 180,000 workers with close to ₱900 million worth of aid. DOLE earlier rolled out its flagship program Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Displaced/Underprivileged Workers (TUPAD), to cover those affected by government measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The enhanced community quarantine in Luzon has been extended until the end of April, with the country still battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Several local government units in other regions followed suit.

The Philippines has recorded 4,648 COVID-19 cases, as of the Health Department's latest record. Of this number, 297 have died, while 197 have recovered.