2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 23 with hospitals and local governments, and to be transparent in the procurement of PPE and in full compliance with the government procurement standards.96 52 The CHR recognizes the invaluable contribution of our medical staff, and calls for a stronger government prioritization of their welfare, especially in this state of a national health emergency.97 As it condemned the senseless acts of physical violence and discrimination against health workers, it has investigated the reported assaults committed against health workers.98 Labor Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic 53 There were reports from CHR Regional Offices III and XI on the situation of workers in the informal economy, such as stranded construction workers and tricycle drivers. 54 ESCRC takes note of reports of livelihood concerns from blind massagists and musicians who are forced to stop working because of social distancing. 55 Public utility vehicle drivers were left no choice but to beg for alms in the streets because of mobility restrictions that affected their livelihood and the looming jeepney modernization.99 56 The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed that 727 establishments implemented Flexible Work Arrangement. FWA) (reduction of workdays, rotation of workers, forced leave, telecommuting) affecting 12,981 workers, while 4,203 establishments underwent Temporary Closure (TC) affecting 70,268 workers. 72 industries implemented retrenchment and permanent closure, resulting in 909 retrenched workers. Through the COVID-19 Adjustment Measure Program (CAMP), 25,734 workers affected by the FWA and TC were given an assistance of PHP5,000.00 each, with a total amount of PHP128,670,000 assistance given.100 The DOLE reported that 2.6 million workers have already lost their jobs due to the temporary closure of businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.101 The results of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) 2020 Annual Labor Force showed that the unemployment rate in 2020 rose to 10.3 percent accounting for 4.5 million unemployed Filipinos in the labor force, compared to 5.1 percent in 2019. The employment rate fell from 94.9 percent in 2019 to 89.7 percent.102 57 According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), unemployment soared to 17.7% in April 2020, about a month into a sweeping lockdown that saw the country closing off its borders and imposing strict shelter-at-home restrictions.103 96 http://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-on-the-rising-number-of-COVID-19infected-health-workers/ 97 See http://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-ann-c-de-guia-on-safeguarding-the-rights-andwelfare-of-our-healthcare-workers-in-the-fight-against-COVID-19/. 98 See http://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-commissioner-karen-gomez-dumpit-on-violences-carried-out-against-healthworkers-in-time-of-the-COVID-19-pandemic/. 99 (2020). Hungry, homeless, jeepney drivers resort to begging. Available at https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/08/17/ news/top-stories/hungry-homeless-jeepney-drivers-resort-to-begging/756492/. 100 Ibid. 101 David Tristan Yumol, DOLE estimates 10 million workers will lose jobs this year due to COVID-19 pandemic, CNN Philippines, 21 May 2020, available at https://www.cnn.ph/news/2020/5/21/dole-estimates-ten-million-workers-willlose-jobs-covid-pandemic.html, accessed 19 June 2020. 102 Philippine Statistics Authority 2021, March 8). 2020 Annual Preliminary Estimates of Labor Force Survey (LFS). Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/2020-annual-preliminary-estimates-labor-force-survey-lfs 103 Raul Dancel, Philippines’ unemployment rate at record high in April, StraitsTimes, 6 June 2020, available at https:// www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-unemployment-rate-at-record-high-in-april, accessed 22 June 2020.