Press Release
July 29, 2019

With an initial 120,000 employees affected
NANCY APPEALS TO DOLE: EXTEND AID TO DISPLACED LOTTO WORKERS

Sen. Nancy Binay today appealed to the Department of Labor and Employment to immediately extend aid to workers affected by the closure by police over the weekend of more than 30,000 lotto stations and gaming outlets nationwide.

With more than 120,000 workers affected, Binay said DOLE can extend its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers" (TUPAD) program, and assist them in securing employment.

"DOLE can step up and help. May mga pamilyang binubuhay ang mga staff ng PCSO gaming outlets, at malaking bagay ang agarang tulong na maibibigay ng DOLE para maibsan ang epekto ng kanilang biglaang pagkawala ng trabaho," she pointed out.

Under the program, DOLE usually extends emergency employment for 30 days with a minimum pay of P300 per day. Each beneficiary will earn around P9,000 for one month.

According to Binay, DOLE's 30-day Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program was created exactly for the purpose of providing assistance and alternative means of employment to displaced workers.

"Habang di pa malinaw kung kailan ili-lift ang suspension ng PCSO gaming operations, marami sa mga franchise operators ang tiyak na mapipilitan i-lay off ang kanilang mga empleyado dahil wala naman nang source of revenue para paswelduhin sila--not to mention the monthly rental and utility expenses," she said.

As of today (July 29), the Philippine National Police reported it has closed down more than 30,000 gaming outlets.

"If each outlet has an average of 4 employees, with more than 30,000 franchise stations closed, we're looking at a minimim of 120,000 displaced workers. Sana mabigyan ng DOLE ng emergency employment at iba pang tulong.

"Let's face it, malaking dagok sa mga empleyado ang nangyari at nagkagulatan sa pagka-anunsyo ng closure. Never were the displaced workers factored in the suspension of PCSO operations, but at least DOLE can help in cushioning the negative impact of being jobless," Binay pointed out.

The senator said she expects the DOLE to have started coordinating with the PCSO to track its outlets and the number of employees involved.

She added that a large number of Filipinos are affected by the President's order, with Small Town Lottery alone employing more than 300,000 workers, based on the PCSO's 2018 accomplishment report.

Binay said that while she understands the President's desire to rid the PCSO of corruption, she wondered whether another route could have been taken that did not negatively impact the jobs of thousands.

"Huwag sana hayaan ng pamahalaan na umabot sa puntong kakapit sa patalim ang mga apektadong empleyado para lamang hindi magutom ang mga pamilya nila," she said.

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