Senator Christopher Lawrence Go on Thursday urged government agencies and companies to consider work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for their employees and provide heat breaks to field workers given the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, said WFH arrangements were already adopted and implemented during the pandemic, thus can also be considered anew.

“Ako po ay nakikiusap sa iba’t ibang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na kung pwede magkaroon ng breaks (and to) explore work-from-home options. I-consider natin na ang mga empleyado natin ay maiinitan. Nakasanayan na ito nung panahon ng pandemya, baka maari iconsider ito ng mga kumpanya (I am asking the various government agencies to allow breaks and explore work-from-home options. Let’s consider the employees who will be experiencing extreme heat. We have been accustomed to it during the pandemic so maybe the companies could consider it again),” Go said during his visit here to inspect the Super Health Center and distribute groceries and vitamins to 413 barangay health workers in Manaoag.

Go said the workers may avail of the heat stroke, sunstroke and heat exhaustion package of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation covering PHP6,500 for confinement.

He said check-ups in health centers, even in Super Health Centers, are free.

High heat index under the danger category, ranging from 42 to 51 degree Celsius, is being experienced in some parts of the country for the past weeks due to El Niño phenomenon.

Meanwhile, Go also assisted in the orientation of some 500 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The beneficiaries, who will earn PHP4,350 for the 10-day work, will start their duties on Monday.

They will be given personal protective equipment, cowboy hats, long sleeve shirts and insurance coverage.

TUPAD is a community-based emergency employment program that provides short-term jobs to displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers.

Elsie Sison, one of the beneficiaries, said she will use the amount from TUPAD to augment capital for her small business.

“This will be a huge help for my family’s needs,” she said.

Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario thanked the national government and the Office of Senator Go for the aid given to their town people. (PNA)

Photo credit: Facebook/senateph