MANILA - Workers whose income will be affected due to the temporary shut down of several establishments during Luzon's month-long coronavirus lockdown will receive a P5,000 financial aid, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Tuesday.

The department's COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) "is a safety net" that seeks to "provide financial support to affected workers" to "mitigate the adverse economic impacts and reduction of income" as several private businesses in the Philippines' most populous island temporarily shuts down for a month-long quarantine.

"A one-time financial assistance equivalent to P5,000 shall be provided to affected workers in lump sum, non-conditional, regardless of employment status," DOLE said in its Department Order 209 signed March 17, 2020.

"Large establishments are highly encouraged to cover the full wages of employees within the 1 month community quarantine period," it added.

Government workers are not covered by the program, according to the document.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE ASSISTANCE

Employers may apply for the assistance for their workers by submitting an "establishment report" on how his or her business was affected by the pandemic, and a company payroll for the month before the temporary closure was implemented.

The application, along with the documentary requirements, shall be submitted to DOLE's online application system.

Applications will be evaluated by Labor officials, and applicants will receive via email either a notice of approval or a notice of denial within 3 days.

Applications may be denied due to ineligibility, misrepresentation of facts, and submission of falsified documents.

DOLE regional offices will disburse the cash assistance "directly to the beneficiary's payroll account through bank transfer within 2 weeks."

The relief package was signed a day after Luzon's enhanced community quarantine prompted malls, cinemas, and other non-essential establishments to temporarily close to curb the spread of the virus.

Health officials earlier said COVID-19, which originated from Wuhan, China, can be transmitted through tiny droplets from the mouth or nose of an infected patient.

The Philippines is under a state of calamity as the government continues to find ways to contain the disease, which has infected nearly 200 people in the country. Of these patients, 14 died, 4 recovered, while the rest remain in hospitals.

COVID-19 has been described as a global pandemic after it killed nearly 8,000 and infected 197,000 others worldwide.