Part II: COVID-19 ADJUSTMENT MEASURES PROGRAM (CAMP)

Note: This is Part II of a two-part article on the Department of Labor and Employment’s issuances
relating to COVID-19. Part I is here link of Part I.

As previously discussed, under Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Labor Advisory
No. 11 Series of 2020, employees’ leave of absence during the quarantine period are to be
charged against their leave credits, and the remaining unpaid leaves during the said period may
be covered and subjected to the conditions provided under DOLE’s proposed COVID-19
Adjustment Measures Program.

On 17 March 2020, the DOLE released DOLE Department Order No. 209, Series of 2020,
specifying the Guidelines on the Adjustment Measures Program for Affected Workers due to
the Corona Virus Disease – 2019 (COVID-19).

What is CAMP?

CAMP is a safety net program that offers financial support to affected workers in private
establishments that have adopted flexible working arrangements or temporary closure
during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who are referred to as affected workers?

These are workers in private establishments whose employment face or suffer interruption
due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as:

a. Retained workers who do not receive regular wage – workers whose working hours
and, therefore, regular wage is reduced due to the implementation of Flexible
Working Arrangements as defined under DOLE Labor Advisory No. 09, Series of
2020; and
b. Suspended workers – workers whose employment is temporarily suspended by
reason of suspension of operations of the employer’s business establishment.

What are the Flexible Working Arrangements recognized by the DOLE?

Under DOLE Labor Advisory No. 09, Series of 2020, the following are the flexible working
arrangements which may be considered by employers:

1. Reduction of Workhours and/or Workdays – on where the normal workhours or

workdays per week are reduced.
2. Rotation of Workers – one where the employees are rotated or alternately provided
work within the week;
3. Forced Leave – one where the employees are required to go on leave for several days
or weeks utilizing their leave credits, if there are any.

Who may avail the CAMP?

Private Establishments that has implemented FWAs or temporary closure due to COVID-19
pandemic.
What are the requirements necessary in order to avail the CAMP?

Affected establishments must submit the following:

1. Establishment Report on the COVID-19 pursuant to Labor Advisory No. 09, Series of
2020; and
2. Company Payroll for the month prior the implementation of FWAs or temporary
closure.

What are the procedures in availing the CAMP?

1. Submission of complete documentary requirements online to the appropriate DOLE

Regional Office or any of its Provincial/Field Offices;
2. Evaluation of the applications by the concerned DOLE Regional Office within three (3)
working days from receipt thereof;
3. Issuance of a notice to the applicant within three (3) working days from evaluation. The
Notice may either be:
a. Notice of Approval, in case of approved applications; or
b. Notice of Denial, in case of denied applications.

An application for CAMP may be denied in the following cases:

1. Ineligibility of applicant;
2. Misrepresentation of facts in application;
3. Submission of falsified or tampered document.
4. In case of approval of the application, the concerned DOLE regional office shall issue the
financial support directly to the beneficiary’s payroll account through bank transfer
within two (2) weeks upon receipt.
5. Issuance of Notice of Completion shall be issued to the affected establishment within
three (3) working days through electronic mail (e-mail).

How much will the employee be getting as financial assistance under the CAMP?

A one-time financial assistance equivalent to Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) shall be
provided to affected workers in lump sum, non-conditional, regardless of employment
status.

The private sector and the labor are of equal importance in maintaining economic stability
during this pandemic. Employers and employees should not be in feud with each other and
must in fact be in coordination in enduring this trial.

For further queries on this matter or other legal concerns, you may contact us from Mondays to Fridays,
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, through our email: mfl@mflegal.com.ph, and our website at http://mfbr.com.ph.