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Work for Davao - Update: December 11, 2020 at 10:30AM...(RESEARCHED BY: SHANDREA ART B. SAMAL)

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URL: https://www.facebook.com/workfordavao/posts/pfbid02mwQuu5NTgfP37x1aWEDvRT23hTsKRwkbwYvaMqRcQFTMZiqPivWmPvGvHp8JYG1tl
TITLE: 15M grant to LGU Davao from DOLE OFFICE

AUTHOR: Work for Davao
DATE PUBLISHED: December 11, 2020
KEY INFO: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allocated a 15 million peso fund to LGU Davao, aiming to provide employment to 2,355 residents. Qualified applicants will work 15 days, with fixed salaries of Php6,000. The selection will be based on specific barangays in Davao City, following Mayor Duterte's directive. Those who haven't received other government assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible.

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Work for Davao - Update: December 11, 2020 at 10:30AM...

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Update: December 11, 2020 at 10:30AM
Subject: 15M grant to LGU Davao from DOLE OFFICE

1. The fund is already available and downloaded to DOLE Region XI....

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Informal sector workers struggle amid Covid-19 (RESEARCHED BY: SHANDREA ART B. SAMAL)

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URL: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1879960/davao/feature/informal-sector-workers-struggle-amid-covid-19
TITLE:
Informal sector workers struggle amid Covid-19
AUTHOR: SunStar Davao
DATE PUBLISHED: December 13, 2020
KEY INFO: One of the severely-affected economically by the quarantines brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic are those who belong to the "informal economy" sector such as the street vendors and trisikad/tricycle drivers.

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Informal sector workers struggle amid Covid-19

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WHEN the Covid-19 pandemic erupted in Davao Region sometime in March 2020, the Davao City government immediately enforced community quarantine in a bid to control the spread of the…

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Angkas CEO urges govt to help informal workers (RESEARCHED BY: SHANDREA ART B. SAMAL)

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URL: https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/21/news/national/angkas-ceo-urges-govt-to-help-informal-workers/1911077
TITLE:
Angkas CEO urges govt to help informal workers
AUTHOR: The Manila Times
DATE PUBLISHED: September 21, 2023
KEY INFO: Angkas CEO George Royeca urges local government units in the Philippines to create job opportunities for informal workers, who make up 99% of low-income households without legal labor protections. He credits government support for Angkas' success and emphasizes digitalization's potential to legitimize the informal sector.

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LOCAL government units (LGUs) need to create opportunities for the informal workers sector, said George Royeca, co-founder and CEO of Angkas.

Royeca said 99 percent of low-income households in the Philippines belong to the informal workers sector, which is not covered by labor laws and regulations.

These professions include jeepney drivers, market stall owners and street hawkers whose contributions have market value but are not registered.

George Royeca, co-founder and CEO of Angkas. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

"When talking about smart cities, with all the smart gadgets we put in, with all the policies that we create, it is for nothing without the people," said Royeca on Monday during a forum organized by The Manila Times titled "Model Cities and Municipalities 2023: Future-proofing the Quality of Township Living" at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

Royeca attributed the success of Angkas as the leading app-based ride-hailing service in the Philippines to government assistance.

"It was actually because of the government that we (Angkas) are here today, flourishing with 7 million downloads. The successful government-back pilot was able to elevate 50,000 Filipinos out of the poverty line," The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee said.

"If we can do this with 50,000 Filipinos, we can do this with 19.2 million motorcycle owners all over the country," he added.

Royeca said digitalization was instrumental to the recognition of informal workers, noting legitimizing the informal sector led to the empowerment of an entirely new industry and the creation of a new profession."

He said Angkas has evolved from macro to micro in its attempt to help ease the traffic woes in Metro Manila.

"What we did not realize is that what we were really solving was a larger underlying issue, which is livelihood. What we did was simply recognize and legitimize this livelihood so be afforded some form of system," added Royeca, an active advocate of the rights of motorcycle riders and commuters in the Philippines.

He said the government and the LGUs have the power to help the informal workers sector.

"It has never been more apparent that our responsibility extends beyond economic metrics. We are the architects of a better tomorrow for the country by fostering opportunities where none seemed to exist. We have the vision and the responsibility to forge a pathway to new beginnings and unprecedented opportunities for our constituents," Royeca added.

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Angkas CEO urges govt to help informal workers

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LOCAL government units (LGUs) need to create opportunities for the informal workers sector, said George Royeca, co-founder and CEO of Angkas.

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The Philippines Provides Support to Workers in the Informal Economy (RESEARCHED BY: SHANDREA ART B. SAMAL)

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URL: https://som.yale.edu/blog/the-philippines-provides-support-to-workers-in-the-informal-economy
TITLE: The Philippines Provides Support to Workers in the Informal Economy
AUTHOR: Yale School of Management
DATE PUBLISHED: May 13, 2020
KEY INFO: The key point of this message is that the Philippines government has implemented a temporary short-term work program called the TUPAD #BKBK program to provide employment opportunities for nearly 1 million workers in the informal sector who are vulnerable to economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Contact the Authors Access our live "financial-intervention" tracker, which is a single point-of-entry on the YPFS website to keep up with financial-crisis fighting interventions by central banks, fiscal authorities, and international organizations here.
The Philippines government has included a temporary short-term work program that aims to employ close to 1 million workers in the informal sector in its COVID-19 response package.The TUPAD #BKBK program provides temporary employment opportunities to workers in the informal sector, as these workers are particularly vulnerable to economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Informal sector workers are those who do not have secure employment contracts and generally do not have benefits or access to a social safety net. According to the International Labour Organization, the informal economy in the Philippines consists of independent, self-employed small scale producers and distributors of goods and services. Nearly 40% of the workforce in the Philippines is considered employed in a "vulnerable" source of employment, which is a proxy measure for the informal economy.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) manages the TUPAD #BKBK program (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko). The TUPAD #BKBK program provides the minimum wage to unemployed informal sector workers to perform disinfection and sanitation work of their dwellings and the surrounding areas for 10 days. Individuals will also undergo an orientation on safety and health and be enrolled in group micro-insurance (insurance policies specifically targeted to disadvantaged individuals).

The TUPAD program is an existing DOLE program that provides short-term employment opportunities to displaced, underemployed or seasonal workers for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 30 days. Individuals work on infrastructure projects such as repair or maintenance of public facilities or bridges, and agro-forestry projects such as reforestation. The TUPAD #BKBK program is an emergency measure specifically designed to support individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for the TUPAD #BKBK program comes from the DOLE's 2020 budget, with more than PHP 1 billion spent as of April 29.

As of May 10, 337,000 workers received benefits from the TUPAD #BKBK program, with a total of 540,000 expected to benefit from the TUPAD #BKBK program and a total of 962,000 expected to benefit from all TUPAD measures.

The DOLE is expanding the emergency program to allow local government units to provide short-time employment for delivery of essential goods and services, including PPE. Local governments can also hire workers for the packaging of support equipment, transportation of front-line workers, and sanitation and disinfection of communities.

At the end of April, the DOLE announced that it planned to continue to leverage the TUPAD program during the COVID-19 recovery phase. The post-COVID TUPAD program, which has PHP 4 billion in funding, is set to operate in May and June in regions under the general community quarantine.

Providing short-term public employment appears to be a relatively uncommon emergency measure to support informal sector workers. However, the Philippines is also providing financial assistance in the form of cash grants to individuals, including those in the informal sector. The Emergency Subsidy Program is a PHP 205 billion emergency subsidy program for 18 million low-income families. Families with low incomes, including those who work in informal sector jobs, are eligible. Families receive between PHP 5,000 and 8,000 for two months. By May 2, PHP 60.6 billion had been distributed to 11.3 million beneficiaries, and the government added an additional 5 million families on May 4. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will also provide Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAGs) to beneficiaries of the existing Sustainable Livelihood Program, who have at least one family member who works in the informal sector who is displaced by the lockdown measures. LAGs will be granted after the quarantine ends.

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The Philippines Provides Support to Workers in the Informal Economy

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Contact the Authors Access our live "financial-intervention" tracker, which is a single point-of-entry on the YPFS website to keep up with financial-crisis fighting interventions by central banks, fiscal authorities, and international organizations here.

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The Philippines moves towards formalization of jobs (RESEARCHED BY: JULIANA CHLOE P. GAVIOLA)

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URL: https://youtu.be/Tnhbal4bbbw?si=ZQwS2sXVQKZujIgZ
TITLE: The Philippines moves towards formalization of jobs
AUTHOR: International Labour and Organization
DATE PUBLISHED: November 17, 2022
KEY INFO: Maria Zenaida Eusebia Campita, Regional Director, Department of Labor and Employment Philippines, highlights just why formalization of jobs will make a real difference to the lives of so many informal wokers in the Philippines.

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The Philippines moves towards formalization of jobs

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COVID-19 Socioeconomic Impact Assessment in Mindanao: Strengthening Recovery... (RESEARCHED BY: JULIANA CHLOE P. GAVIOLA)

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URL: https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/covid-19-socioeconomic-impact-assessment-mindanao-strengthening-recovery-towards
TITLE: COVID-19 Socioeconomic Impact Assessment in Mindanao: Strengthening Recovery Towards Peace and Development in the Six Regions
AUTHOR: Relief Web
DATE PUBLISHED: April 18, 2022
KEY INFO: Upon the request of the Mindanao Development Authority, the COVID-19 Socio-economic Impact Assessment in Mindanao (MinDA SEIA henceforth) was implemented by consultants from Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation (SERDEF), with funding and support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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Looking forward to a better future for Mindanao and its people, the Mindanao 2020: Peace and Development Framework Plan for Mindanao covering 2011 to 2030, was developed under the lead of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). Done through a participatory process involving various stakeholders, the plan reflected collective ownership and commitment moving towards its implementation. Mindanao 2020 is envisioned to provide a holistic and multi-dimensional framework, with greater emphasis on Mindanao's history, culture and social development. Focused on both peace and development, it aims to integrate work from a wider range of disciplines and social actors.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global development work and projections including in the Philippines. It brought many changes and challenges since it hit the Philippines in March 2020. While initially starting as a pandemic, it evolved into a crisis that widely affected many sectors of society. A series of nationwide lockdowns eventually led to affecting many business operations as well as the daily living of the people, impacting not only their economic, but also education, health, even leisure activities, among others. Mindanao was not spared from its crippling effects. Hence, plans were made to update Mindanao 2020 by taking account of the impacts of COVID-19.

Upon the request of the MinDA, the COVID-19 Socio-economic Impact Assessment in Mindanao (MinDA SEIA henceforth) was implemented by consultants from Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation (SERDEF), with the funding and support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - at a sensitive time to Mindanao-wide planning on COVID-19 response and recovery and as well as the long -term development related to the updated Mindanao 2020. This report contains the consolidated MinDA SEIA reports based on six (6) MinDA SEIA regional reports.

The MinDA SEIA utilized a mixed methods approach, deploying both quantitative and qualitative techniques in data collection and analysis. The methodology for the assessment has four (4) components: (1) literature review, (2) analysis of secondary data by desk research, (3) primary data collection using a business survey and household survey, and finally, (4) a rapid impact assessment. All these approaches were done by individual consultants in each of the Mindanao regions including BARMM. Specifically, the assessment focused on addressing the following concerns: (1) socio-economic life during the pandemic; (2) COVID-19 and its impact on Mindanao economy; (3) impact on various channel mechanisms; (4) people's experiences during the pandemic; (5) responses of various stakeholders for mitigation and recovery; and (6) pandemic's implication for Mindanao 2030.

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COVID-19 Socioeconomic Impact Assessment in Mindanao: Strengthening Recovery Towards Peace and Development in the Six Regions - Philippines

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Assessment in English on Philippines about Food and Nutrition, Health, Epidemic and more; published on 18 Apr 2022 by UNDP

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8. Public Service Message or Promotional Video

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8. Public Service Message or Promotional Video

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URL: https://youtu.be/1JGSBMMfOHI?si=3von31DDzvS7-F-b
TITLE: Informal Economy: Unregulated and

Misunderstood - Labor Rights | Academy 4 Social Change (RESEARCHED BY: JULIANA CHLOE P. GAVIOLA)

AUTHOR: United 4 Social Change
DATE PUBLISHED: February 13, 2023
KEY INFO: It offers a perspective on labor rights, shedding light on the often challenging and precarious working conditions faced by informal sector workers. By highlighting these labor rights issues, the video indirectly underscores the significance of our research on the impact of the pandemic on this vulnerable group in Mindanao. The video's discussions on potential policy solutions and regulatory measures offer a broader framework for informal sectors. Furthermore, this video serves as an educational and informative resource that enriches the understanding of the challenges faced by informal sector workers in the wake of the pandemic in Mindanao.

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Informal Economy: Unregulated and Misunderstood - Labor Rights | Academy 4 Social Change

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The informal sector's COVID-19 recovery (RESEARCHED BY: JULIANA CHLOE P. GAVIOLA)

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URL: https://theguidon.com/1112/main/2023/01/the-informal-sectors-covid-19-recovery/
TITLE: The informal sector's COVID-19 recovery
AUTHOR: The Guidon
DATE PUBLISHED: January 25, 2023
KEY INFO: The informal sector has been one of the hardest hit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of prompt financial support particularly left many informal sector workers with no choice other than death from the virus or hunger. While government programs such as the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) were enacted to aid against the financial turmoil afflicting the sector, many have criticized these initiatives as several controversies around them surfaced.

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THE INFORMAL sector has been one of the hardest hit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of prompt financial support particularly left many informal sector workers with no choice other than death from the virus or hunger.

While government programs such as the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) were enacted to aid against the financial turmoil afflicting the sector, many have criticized these initiatives as several controversies around them surfaced.
Unhealed wounds
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), "The informal economy consists of independent, self-employed small-scale producers and distributors of goods and services." In a survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), informal laborers were estimated to make up 38.3 percent of the working population.

This sector is not accounted for by any labor laws, leaving its workers open to many issues. Thus, low wages, safety and health hazards, and lack of access to health and financial services have plagued informal laborers even before the pandemic. Such challenges only worsened with the introduction of lockdowns and restrictions.

Job security is one of the largest hurdles that workers of the sector had to face during the pandemic. According to the Asian Development Bank Institute (ABDI), many Filipino workers were laid off from their jobs as a result of lockdowns. They added that two out of five workers who did not have formal employment were prone to suffering the pandemic's most severe effects due to their low wages. This subsequently causes problems such as food insecurity and difficulty in accessing health services.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Administrative Services Division Chief Merlinda A. Paragamac said that given the unstable economy, many informal laborers are left with no direct source of income. Even those who have been able to work now do so irregularly. Paragamac elaborated that the lack of regular income for informal workers causes other challenges. She cited their struggle to provide basic necessities for their families as an example. They might also become burdened with additional medical costs if they were to contract COVID-19.
Chronically invisible
In an attempt to hurdle the grave effects of the pandemic, the DSWD devised numerous initiatives as touchpoints between the often-overlooked sector and the government. These include the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), which released emergency subsidies to over 18 million indigent households in 2020. The Livelihood Assistance Grants project (LAG) also supplied subsidies to informal workers whose jobs were affected by the community quarantine. However, these programs faced difficulties in actually reaching them, with one implementation pain point being the government's lack of a centralized informal sector database.

"What we have is only [data on] the poor...," the social worker stated. In Paragamac's experience, the P205-billion budget for frontline agencies was "insufficient" and aggravated complications in the identification of target beneficiaries.

To address these obstacles, DSWD coordinated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to avoid service and benefit redundancies. According to Paragamac, they aim to harmonize SAP databases for census-taking and cash aid distribution.

Beyond SAP, DOLE executes well-meaning measures that cater to the informal sector such as through its flagship program, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD). TUPAD offers short-term employment opportunities through community service tasks for a maximum period of 90 days.

However, alleged anomalies have halted TUPAD operations in several areas during the pandemic. In 2021, it was suspended in some Quezon City districts and the 2nd district of Palawan after reports of ghost beneficiaries and irregularities in salary disbursements emerged. Accusations of vote-buying and political patronage have also affected TUPAD during the campaign period of the last elections.
Hope for healing
Despite the deficiencies that plague government programs for the informal sector, workers in this sector continue to play a crucial role in the Philippine economy. According to the PSA, approximately 650,000 low-income informal workers have boosted economic output through the value of the goods and services they provide, increasing the Gross Domestic Product in 2016 by about Php 5.013 trillion.

Acknowledging this feat, Paragamac recommended employing technological resources to mitigate the government's difficulties with reaching out to the workforce. "The digitized provision of services and established systems will really help in terms of efficiency and monitoring," she explained.

With the informal sector reeling from financial instability and job insecurity amidst the pandemic, it is imperative that pertinent government agencies develop sustainable recovery plans. Without these, informal sector workers have no choice but to carry on and survive living paycheck to paycheck.

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THE INFORMAL sector has been one of the hardest hit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of...

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BBM VLOG #91: Global Mindanao | Bongbong Marcos (RESEARCHED BY: HANSON GRACIE B. AMABLE)

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URL: https://youtu.be/fZn-WxNyi5g
TITLE: BBM VLOG #91: Global Mindanao
AUTHOR: Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Bongbong Marcos)
DATE: December 7, 2019
KEY CONTENT: The BBM Vlog #91, featuring Bongbong Marcos, discusses the economic potential of Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro City, and highlights the success of the 1st Philippine Industrial Summit hosted by the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority. This vlog is connected to the research topic about the impact of the pandemic on informal sector workers in Mindanao because it provides insights into the economic context of the region, which could be relevant to understanding how the pandemic has affected informal sector workers' livelihoods.

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BBM VLOG #91: Global Mindanao | Bongbong Marcos

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Chart: Mapping The World's Informal Workforce | Statista (RESEARCHED BY: SOPHIA MARGARETTE H. GLORIA)

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URL: https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/30349.jpeg

TITLE: Mapping The World's Informal Workforce
AUTHOR: Statista
DATE: July 6, 2023
KEY CONTENT: Mapping the world's informal workforce involves quantifying and analyzing the global prevalence of informal employment, which encompasses a substantial portion of the labor force. This statistics aims to provide insights into the scale and distribution of informal labor arrangements worldwide, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities associated with this critical aspect of the global economy.

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(RESEARCHED BY: SOPHIA MARGARETTE H. GLORIA)

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URL: https://pia.gov.ph/press-releases/2023/06/20/dole-10-honors-bukidnons-informal-sector-workers
TITLE: DOLE-10 honors Bukidnon’s informal sector workers
AUTHOR: DOLE-10
DATE: June 20, 2023
KEY CONTENT: The news article highlights DOLE's support for informal sector workers in Bukidnon, Mindanao, relevant to the research on the pandemic's impact. DOLE organized a session on financial and organizational management for these workers, aiming to enhance their livelihood skills. Livelihood starter kits and financial aid were provided to different informal sector groups, aiding them in pandemic-related economic challenges. The article underscores government efforts to assist Mindanao's informal sector workers, addressing pandemic effects on their livelihoods. These initiatives align with the research's focus on understanding the pandemic's impact on this vulnerable sector in Mindanao.

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No. of :

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Currently viewed by: Marcus Rosit

MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA)--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, through its Bukidnon Provincial Field Office (Buk PFO), recently conducted a learning session for workers in the informal sector in line with the 2023 Labor Day commemoration.

The activity aims to provide and aid the workers in the informal sector under the Labor Day theme, "Pabahay, Bilihing Abot-Presyo, Benepisyo ng Matatag na Trabaho Para sa Manggagawang Pilipino."

DOLE-10 BukPFO Provincial Director Raul L. Valmores reassures that DOLE, through its flagship programs and services, will continuously provide job-generation initiatives to workers in the informal sector.

"We in DOLE will continue collaborating with the different government agencies and Accredited Co-Partners (ACPs) so the individual and association beneficiaries can attain a sustainable livelihood," Valmores said.

Nineteen association beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) from a city and different municipalities in Bukidnon, including six ACPs, attended the event.

During the event, DILP released three livelihood starter kits, including a sari-sari store, Bigasan, and a video production project worth P70,000.

The Parents Mobilization Action Group (PMAG) was granted a total amount of P500,000 for their Consumer Store Enhancement Project.

Under Social Amelioration Program (SAP), the sugar workers received P24,000.

Each of the three beneficiaries received P8,000 for their maternity benefit claims.

All attendees pledged to support the government's goal of transitioning informal sector workers into the formal economy, ensuring their protection under the law. They vowed to promote the welfare and decent work agenda of workers in the informal economy.

Valmores recognized the informal sector's contribution to the country's thrust toward a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery. (DOLE-10 Buk PFO/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

Editor

Region 10

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DOLE-10 honors Bukidnon's informal sector workers

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No. of : No. of Shares: Currently viewed by: Marcus Rosit MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA)--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, through its Bukidnon Provincial Field Office (Buk PFO), recently conducted a learning session for workers in the informal sector in line with the 2023 Labor Day commemoration.

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ILO and BARMM provide jobs to informal sector workers in Bangsamoro provinces (RESEARCHED BY: HANSON GRACIE B. AMABLE)

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14. Non-Government Organization or Academic Institution Article 

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14. Non-Government Organization or Academic Institution Article 

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URL: https://philippines.un.org/en/95239-ilo-and-barmm-provide-jobs-informal-sector-workers-bangsamoro-provinces
TITLE: ILO and BARMM provide jobs to informal sector workers in Bangsamoro provinces
AUTHOR: United Nations (Philippines)
DATE: October 12, 2020
KEY CONTENT: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the Bangsamoro region's informal sector, resulting in a record-high 29.8% unemployment rate. In response, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Ministry of Labor and Employment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have partnered to launch the Community Emergency Employment Programme (CEEP). It illustrates the pandemic's profound economic and social impact on the informal sector. It also emphasizes the critical role that international organizations, governments, and foreign aid can play in alleviating these repercussions and advancing the well-being of vulnerable workers during times of crisis.

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COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerabilities of the informal sector and threatened the livelihoods, employment and the well-being of workers. During this pandemic, BARMM unemployment rate shoot up to 29.8%, the highest in the country.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Ministry of Labor and Employment in the Bangsamoro Autnomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) inked a partnership to implement the Community Emergency Employment Programme (CEEP) which aims to provide emergency employment with social protection to 1,750 informal sector workers in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City and 63 barangays in North Cotabato. To ensure the safety and health of workers, 70 handwashing facilities will be established in the work sites, workers will be taught proper hygiene, and COVID-19 responsive OSH protocols will be in place. This undertaking is with funding support from The Government of Japan Embassy of Japan in the Philippines

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ILO and BARMM provide jobs to informal sector workers in Bangsamoro provinces

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COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerabilities of the informal sector and threatened the livelihoods, employment and the well-being of workers. During this pandemic, BARMM unemployment rate shoot up to 29.8%, the highest in the country.

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Maternity benefits pushed for women workers in informal sector (RESEARCHED BY: JULIANA CHLOE P. GAVIOLA)

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URL: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1770907/maternity-benefits-pushed-for-women-workers-in-informal-sector
TITLE: Maternity benefits pushed for women workers in informal sector
AUTHOR: Inquirer
DATE PUBLISHED: May 18, 2023
KEY INFO: According to the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, female workers in the informal economy are vulnerable to economic shocks, as they have no job stability, no social or labor protections, and smaller income and savings.

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MANILA, Philippines-A big share of the almost 50 million "employed" Filipinos are women engaged in informal work and as stressed in Senate Bill (SB) No. 148, they deserve maternity benefits, too.

According to a report by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), most of the female workers in the informal economy are home-based business owners, home-based subcontract workers, and street vendors.

However, while Republic Act (RA) No. 11210, or the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, has been beneficial to millions of female workers, a huge swathe of the workforce, as well as young dependents, do not yet enjoy the benefits of the law.

According to Sen. Risa Hontiveros, they are the women in the informal economy who are non-members of the Social Security System (SSS), like sari-sari store owners, handicraft and tool assemblers, street vendors, and farmers.

This was the reason she filed last year SB No. 148 to seek the amendment of RA No. 11210 "to provide a maternity cash benefit worth the daily minimum wage times 44, or the minimum wage of two months."

So in Metro Manila, where the minimum wage is P570 a day, the cash benefit will amount to P25,080, while in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, it will be P15,004.

Once the bill is signed into law, Section 11 of RA No. 11210, will be replaced with this new one:
Section 11. Maternity Benefits for Female Workers who are Non-Members of the SSS-Female workers who are neither voluntary nor regular members of the SSS shall receive, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, a one-time direct maternity cash benefit per delivery equivalent to the prevailing daily minimum wage rate in her region of residence multiplied by 44 days.
As explained by Hontiveros, the money for this "will be sourced from sin taxes."

She said "they (female workers in the informal economy) are not regular members of [the] SSS because they are not employees and they, too, cannot afford to become voluntary members because they only earn a meager income."

This was also stressed by the Alliance of Workers in the Informal Economy, with its president, Susanita Tesiorna, saying that non-contributing members of the SSS and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., who can't afford regular premiums, should be granted maternity cash benefit.

Women in informal work

Based on the result of the latest Labor Force Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there were 48.58 million employed Filipinos in March 2023-28.22 were male while 20.36 were female.

However, there were not enough data on the informal economy, except for the percentage of private household workers (3.9 percent), paid family workers (0.4 percent), self-employed (27.9 percent), and unpaid family workers (8.3 percent).

As Tesiorna told INQUIRER.net via FB Messenger, the last Informal Sector Survey (ISS) was conducted in 2008. This was never done again because of supposed funding problems, she said.

Based on the result of the 2008 ISS, there were about 10.5 million "informal sector operators," or those that are self-employed without any paid employee or employer in own-family operated farm or business.

Out of the 10.5 million, 66 percent is male while 34 percent is female.

But in the report published by the CHR, which cited a more recent data from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), there were 8 million female workers in the informal economy in 2012.

The PCW said the 8 million was 37 percent of all wage and salary workers that year-4.76 million worked in private establishments while 1.68 million worked as household help with compensation below the minimum wage set by the government.

Likewise, some 4 million self-employed women were into home-based businesses.

According to the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, female workers in the informal economy are vulnerable to economic shocks, as they have no job stability, no social or labor protections, and smaller income and savings.

Social protection needed

With an estimated 250,000 women in the informal economy that give birth every year, Hontiveros said enacting the bill into law is "very important," stressing that "the impact [of the law] will be significant for them."

As stated in a study by Gautam Bhan et. al., which was published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the informal economy crosses a range of sectors, with street vending, domestic work, and waste picking as the most common.

It was stressed that "for these workers, caring for themselves and their children presents unique challenges," especially for mothers who need to take care of her infant while providing for the family.

"Mothers who work in the informal sector must continue to bring income to the household, care for their physical and mental health after childbirth, and attempt to exclusively breastfeed their infant and provide nurturing care."

The problem, however, is that "they must all do this while working without any formal labor protection such as maternity leave" since there are only a few public or private social protection initiatives for them.

Looking back, Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, also proposed the same in 2021 with SB No. 2175.

She stressed then that while the engagement of pregnant women in the informal economy is a display of their resilience, "we should not forget that pregnancy is one of the most important phases in the life of a woman."

"Giving importance to their rights means promoting the future of every Filipino household" because "if the working mother has a maternity leave, she will have enough time to take care of her infant."

She said "the mother will have more time to breastfeed and attend to the rest of the needs of her infant."

Beneficial to economy, too

According to SB No. 148, peer-reviewed research has quantified the economic toll that inadequate breastfeeding takes on individuals, communities and countries, including the Philippines.

It was found that the cost of inadequate breastfeeding to the health care system in the Philippines is about $16.3 million a year, and future cognitive losses of $2.3 billion a year owing to reduced development and earning potential can be expected.

"The costs of infant formula also significantly reduce a family's disposable income," the bill said.

The bill stated that providing a maternity benefit to women workers in the informal economy equivalent to about $350 for every mother is paltry compared to the potential economic benefits of improving breastfeeding rates at population level.

This, as "the estimated cost of a 14-week maternity leave is only 5 percent of the cost of not breastfeeding in the Philippines."

"Therefore, a maternity benefit for women workers in the informal economy is not just a social justice measure and an important way to address the multiple burdens and increased vulnerabilities of women who are also mothers and informal workers, it also leads to demonstrable and quantifiable health outcomes at the population level."

According to a study conducted by Valerie Ulep et. al., a non-contributory maternity cash transfer to informal sector workers could provide health benefits by helping mothers meet their breastfeeding goals.

It was stated that the annual financing needed for implementing maternity cash transfer program in the Philippines ranges from a minimum scenario of $42 million for a 14-week maternity cash transfer to a more ideal scenario of $309 million for a 26-week maternity cash transfer.

"The latter is financially feasible as it is equivalent to less than 0.1 percent of the country's gross domestic product substantially lower than the share cost of not breastfeeding (0.7 percent)," said the study.

TSB

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Maternity benefits pushed for women workers in informal sector

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MANILA, Philippines-A big share of the almost 50 million "employed" Filipinos are women engaged in informal work and as stressed in Senate Bill (SB) No. 148, they deserve maternity benefits,

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HANAP-BUHAY | A Short Documentary about Informal Workers (RESEARCHED BY: SOPHIA MARGARETTE H. GLORIA)

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URL: https://youtu.be/XK7UqP82Pbs
TITLE: HANAP-BUHAY | A Short Documentary about Informal Workers
AUTHOR: Basthetherese
DATE: May 23, 2022
KEY CONTENT: "HANAP-BUHAY" is a short documentary highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic compelled many workers in Davao City to transition from formal to informal employment due to lockdowns and economic uncertainties. The film portrays the challenges and instability faced by these informal workers, impacting their families' basic needs. It seeks to raise awareness and support for this vulnerable sector, contributing to the broader research on the pandemic's impact on informal workers in Mindanao.

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HANAP-BUHAY | A Short Documentary about Informal Workers

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DAY 1: Mindanao Wide Omics Webinar 2022 (RESEARCHED BY: HANSON GRACIE B. AMABLE)

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URL: https://youtu.be/h3ggeuEo17g
TITLE: DAY 1: Mindanao Wide Omics Webinar 2022
AUTHOR: Philippine Genome Center Mindanao
DATE: February 1, 2023
KEY CONTENT: The "Mindanao Wide Omics Webinar 2022" focused on studying how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Mindanao region in the Philippines, with a particular emphasis on its impact on informal sector workers. It featured discussions by experts in genomics, proteomics, and related fields, aiming to uncover the biological aspects of the pandemic, such as its effects at the molecular level and potential developments in vaccines or treatments. It lies in the potential for the omics research presented to provide insights into how biological factors influenced COVID-19's impact, aiding in understanding the health challenges faced by informal sector workers.

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(E-BOOK) Out of the Shadows: Violent Conflict and the Real Economy of Mindanao (RESEARCHED BY: SOPHIA MARGARETTE H. GLORIA)

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URL: https://unipress.ateneo.edu/product/e-book-out-shadows-violent-conflict-and-real-economy-mindanao & https://www.academia.edu/26506043/Out_of_the_Shadows_Violent_Conflict_and_the_Real_Economy_of_Mindanao
TITLE: Out of the Shadows: Violent Conflict and the Real Economy of Mindanao
AUTHORS:

Francisco J. Lara Jr., Steven Schoofs and Harriet Lamb
DATE: December 31, 2017
KEY CONTENT: "Out of the Shadows: Violent Conflict and the Real Economy of Mindanao (2017)" is a study that explores the often overlooked informal economy in Mindanao and its links to violent conflict, development, and governance. It lies in highlighting the crucial role of the informal economy in understanding the economic vulnerabilities of informal sector workers. It likely offers insights into how the pandemic affected the informal economy, potentially contributing to the difficulties faced by these workers, emphasizing the need to address the informal economy's role in shaping economic outcomes and conflicts in Mindanao.

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Informal and unregulated economic activities remain an important feature of Mindanao's economy. Despite its enduring presence, the informal economy has largely been overlooked in the analysis of Mindanao's conflict dynamics. As a result, little is understood about the informal economy's impact on armed violence, development, and governance. Out of the Shadows is the first study that incorporates the informal economy into the broader analysis of the region. It argues that one cannot comprehend Mindanao's political and economic challenges, let alone address them, unless these shadow economies are scrutinized further.

Francisco J. Lara Jr., Steven Schoofs and Harriet Lamb

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(E-BOOK) Out of the Shadows: Violent Conflict and the Real Economy of Mindanao

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Informal and unregulated economic activities remain an important feature of Mindanao's economy. Despite its enduring presence, the informal economy has largely been overlooked in the analysis of Mindanao's conflict dynamics. As a result, little is understood about the informal economy's impact on armed violence, development, and governance.

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Fears and Hopes of Indigenous Students in Southern Mindanao During Covid-19 Pandemic (RESEARCHED BY HANSON GRACIE B. AMABLE)

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URL: https://web.s.ebscohost.com/abstract?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=11732571&AN=145278075&h=lOXiza6hETwQrViLfI%2FuvA%2FHZf4nq73f3mvnRvfqrEIBs%2Fz6dLzF3vqtjVlk25n4P4OarlfBSy2S0A7r6n6U0Q%3D%3D&crl=c&resultNs=AdminWebAuth&resultLocal=ErrCrlNotAuth&crlhashurl=login.aspx%3Fdirect%3Dtrue%26profile%3Dehost%26scope%3Dsite%26authtype%3Dcrawler%26jrnl%3D11732571%26AN%3D145278075&fbclid=IwAR2ldwTLeVBkTeo-TSBlhbp5VCJ_AtxChi9QS5QgPB-znKnr8uTKwrVF4Do
TITLE: Fears and Hopes of Indigenous Students in Southern Mindanao During Covid-19 Pandemic
AUTHORS: Bayod, Rogelio P.; Morante, Jenny P.

DATE: August 2020
KEY CONTENT:  This paper focuses on the perceptions and experiences of indigenous students in Southern Mindanao, Philippines, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores their fears and concerns about their lives and education in the "new normal" brought about by the pandemic. Both topics highlight the multifaceted consequences of the pandemic on vulnerable populations in Mindanao, shedding light on how it affects not only education but also livelihoods and communities in the region.

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Abstract: The Covid-19 Pandemic is one of the greatest threats to the education of children especially to poor countries and communities. As countries imposed a lockdown and community quarantine, schools were forced to close and shift instantly to on-line teaching and learning. In the Philippines, while schools are given the permit to continue the education of students for the next school year, the government insists that there will be no face-toface education as long as there is still an imminent danger of virus transmission. As educators, we already experienced and witnessed how difficult for our students, especially the poor and the indigenous peoples, to cope with the different modalities of learning and the country to provide the needed support to students and teachers during this new educational set-up caused by Covid-19 outbreak. This present paper focuses on the perception and experiences of indigenous students in Southern Mindanao, Philippines in relation to Covid-19 pandemic and their fears and worries concerning their lives and their education in the so-called new normal. This paper will further offer practical suggestions to government and educational leaders on how to address the educational needs of the students, especially the indigenous peoples.

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Fears and Hopes of Indigenous Students in Southern Mindanao During Covid-19 Pandemic.

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Abstract: The Covid-19 Pandemic is one of the greatest threats to the education of children especially to poor countries and communities. As countries imposed a lockdown and community quarantine, schools were forced to close and shift instantly to on-line teaching and learning.

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Cebu-based Artist Takes Inspiration from the Virus Pandemic (RESEARCHED BY: HANSON GRACIE B. AMABLE)

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URL: https://www.filipinoart.ph/newsroom/2020/04/03/cebu-based-artist-takes-inspiration-from-the-virus-pandemic/
TITLE: Cebu-based Artist Takes Inspiration from the Virus Pandemic
AUTHOR: Positive Space
DATE: April 3, 2020
KEY CONTENT: Ana Fe Ruiz, a self-taught artist from Talisay City, Cebu, uses her watercolor paintings to convey a message of empathy and inspiration during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the artwork is based in the Visayas area, it connects to the broader research topic by highlighting the universal emotional toll of the pandemic. The painting "Longing" particularly resonates with the separation and sacrifices made by frontliners, which is a shared experience across regions in the Philippines, including Mindanao. The call for social distancing in "Social Distancing" also underscores the nationwide effort to combat the virus's spread, encompassing both Visayas and Mindanao. In essence, Ana Fe Ruiz's artwork speaks to the collective struggles and resilience of people across the Philippines, including informal sector workers in Mindanao, during these challenging times.

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Disrupt Davao Podcast | a podcast by Regina Evangelista (RESEARCHED BY: SOPHIA MARGARETTE H. GLORIA)

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URL: https://podcast.disruptdavao.com/
TITLE:  DD10: Starting a Social Enterprise in this Pandemic

HOSTED BY: Regina Evangelista
DATE: July 25, 2021
KEY CONTENT: In this episode of Disrupt Davao Podcast, Dr. Angeli V. Guadalupe and her co-founders, Jason Occidental and Leizl Salera, discuss the launch of their business, SurePlus Davao, in March 2020 amidst the pandemic. SurePlus, a social enterprise, addresses food waste and undernutrition in Davao City by repurposing surplus food and redistributing it to those in need. This initiative highlights the resilience of local entrepreneurs in responding to the challenges brought about by the pandemic while also directly impacting the informal sector workers by providing affordable food options and support to charities in the region.

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This is a conversation series with entrepreneurs, innovators & disruptors in Davao City during the times of COVID-19 Pandemic. We want to know how our friends are doing, how their businesses are doing, how are they pivoting & thriving in this current climate. We want them to be heard, discovered, and more importantly, feel supported especially under these extreme circumstances we are in today.

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Disrupt Davao Podcast | a podcast by Regina Evangelista

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This is a conversation series with entrepreneurs, innovators & disruptors in Davao City during the times of COVID-19 Pandemic. We want to know how our friends are doing, how their businesses are doing, how are they pivoting & thriving in this current clima...

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Informal workers hired for disinfection jobs: labor dept | DZMM (RESEARCHED BY: SHANDREA ART B. SAMAL)

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5. Local/ National News Segment Video Clip

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5. Local/ National News Segment Video Clip

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URL: https://youtu.be/OE7yZwtDzXU?feature=shared
TITLE: Informal workers hired for disinfection jobs: labor dept
AUTHOR: ABS-CBN News
DATE PUBLISHED: March 23, 2020
KEY INFO: The labor department said it has given temporary disinfecting jobs to informal workers as Luzon remains on lockdown due to COVID-19.

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Informal workers hired for disinfection jobs: labor dept | DZMM