MANILA — Workers and their families affected by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao will receive financial assistance, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said DOLE regional offices and the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) will begin profiling affected workers to determine appropriate assistance.

“With the existing ECC regulations, we are the ones providing financial assistance… If there are deceased workers, we are also able to provide an additional PHP30,000 funeral assistance for our workers… and PHP15,000 financial assistance,” he said in a statement.

Under ECC rules, affected workers may receive PHP15,000 in financial assistance, while families of workers who died due to the disaster may be granted an additional PHP30,000 funeral benefit.

Tolentino said displaced workers who temporarily lost income due to the quake may also be covered by the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, which provides daily wage-based employment for beneficiaries who render community work.

He added that profiling of affected workers is ongoing as DOLE secures equipment and resources in regional offices, particularly in Soccsksargen.

Tolentino also said workers should not be required to report for duty in establishments that remain unsafe following the earthquake.

He likewise announced plans to establish a DOLE rescue and quick response team to improve disaster response capacity within the agency.

“Within this week, I’m creating a DOLE rescue team, similar to what I did during my MMDA days, so that we will have quick reaction personnel ready for deployment wherever they are needed. I’m also expanding the functions of occupational safety and health to include mental health because many people have been traumatized by this incident,” he said.

He added that the agency will strengthen its Occupational Safety and Health Committee regional extension units to improve emergency response capabilities, noting that existing personnel in regional offices are currently limited.

“Regional, we have that. But the personnel are limited, just two or three. So it’s not that big. So that is what we will try to enhance. Maybe, in this situation—this has been an eye-opener for me. So, I will strengthen that,” he added.

The quake that hit Sarangani province and nearby areas on June 8 displaced more than 32,926 families across Mindanao, with Regions 11 and 12 reporting the most severe impact.