MANILA — The Film Development Council (FDCP) of the Philippines is giving financial aid to freelance workers in live entertainment productions in light of the coronavirus crisis, the government agency announced.

The program, called the FDCP DEAR (Disaster Emergency Assistance and Relief), is a quick-response fund that is activated when a public emergency or state of calamity is declared in the country.

The ongoing public health emergency stemming from COVID-19 has cost the livelihood of many freelance workers, including those in the audio-visual live performance industry. This specific group will be the recipients of DEAR funding, the FDCP said.

The industry refers to "live performances, shows, and productions conducted for public entertainment purposes and does not include private events," according to the FDCP.

The freelance workers include talents and performers (actors, singers, dancers, musicians), production staff (backstage, floor, front of the house), and technical crew (stage, camera, sound, and production).

Freelance workers, the FDCP explained, are those who are not employees of companies regardless of status, and those who do not have regular employment compensation.

Among the eligibility requirements include having lost at least 5 work days of scheduled work within a scheduled event, or 5 projects scheduled within March 15 to April 30, the duration of the Luzon-wide lockdown.

Each qualified freelance worker will receive a one-time cash assistance of P5,000 or P8,000, tax-free.

FDCP said it will prioritize low-income individuals — or those who earn P3,000 or below per show, or not more than P20,000 per project — in the first wave of disbursement of funds.

Further requirements and details of the application can be found here.