THE FDCP DEAR LIVE! PROGRAM (For Displaced Freelance AV Live Performance Workers) FACT SHEET
ABOUT DEAR
The FDCP DEAR (Disaster Emergency Assistance and Relief) Program is a quick response fund of the Film Development Council of the Philippines that provides financial assistance to its stakeholders who are directly affected by a major natural disaster or public health emergency like the Covid-19 Pandemic. This disaster-triggered funding mechanism is activated every time the President of the Philippines declares a public emergency or a State of Calamity in the country.
DEAR LIVE! PROGRAM
"DEAR LIVE!" is a financial assistance program for disaster-affected freelance audio-visual live performance workers who suddenly lost work or engagements as a direct result of the Coronavirus 2019 Disease (COVID-19). These freelance workers do not have direct employers and are not eligible for other government instituted benefits.
COVERAGE
The program covers disaster-affected freelancers in the audio-visual live performance industry. This refers to live performances, shows, and productions conducted for public entertainment purposes and does not include private events. Workers under this include, but are not limited to talents and performers (actors, singers, dancers, musicians, etc.) to production staff (backstage, floor, front of the house, etc.) and technical crew (stage, camera, sound, and production) in various fields in the audio-visual live performance industry — performing arts, live events, live gigs, and shows, and the like.
Due to limited funds, FDCP reserves the right to prioritize low-income individuals in its initial disbursement of funds. Low income individuals are those who earn P3,000 or below per show or not more than P20,000 per project. Program coverage is nationwide.
BENEFIT PAYMENT
Each qualified displaced worker will receive a one-time cash financial assistance of Five Thousand (5,000) or Eight Thousand Pesos (P 8,000) tax-free to cover your expenses during the disaster period, like personal needs, medical expenses, housing and rent, and other essentials. Applicants who are granted assistance will commit to a Return Service to FDCP for its programs and activities for the audiovisual industry.
For approved applications for workers applied for by Companies, the Company will receive the assistance from FDCP. It shall award the benefits to each worker as soon as possible and then submit a report to FDCP on each worker's written and signed acknowledgment of the amount.
ELIGIBILITY
All applicants for DEAR LIVE! must satisfy all of the following requirements:
• Must be members of the FDCP National Registry for Audio-visual Workers (NRAW). DEAR LIVE! Application Form shall also serve as NRAW Application Form.
• Must have lost at least five (5) workdays of scheduled work (whether pre-production, production, or post-production work) within a scheduled event or five (5) projects/ shows/ engagement scheduled within the COVID-19 pandemic. March 15- April 30, 2020, is the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.
*In consideration of those who established less than 5 work days, FDCP may give P 5,000 financial aid.
• Must not have unemployment insurance benefits from either their employer/ producer or from any other government agencies (e.g. DOLE, DSWD, SSS).
***While the DEAR Program is open to all eligible freelance AV workers, FDCP gives priority to those who earn P 3, 000 per day or less or contracted for P20,000 or less per project.***
REQUIREMENTS
Individual Application:
1. Filled out DEAR LIVE! Application Form (which will also serve as the National Registry for Audio-Visual Workers (NRAW) Application Form)
2. Affidavit of Agreement with at least an affixed signature. Notarized copy to follow post quarantine.
3. Copy of any Proof of Income (ITR, payslips, vouchers, issued OR to a client) (optional, if applicable)
4. Copy of any Proof of Engagement (covering the Covid-19 crisis period, March 15-April 30, 2020)
• Screenshots of text message
• Call Sheet
• Screenshots of emails
• Certificate of Engagement from Producer or Production Company
5. Copy of any Notice of Cancellation (covering the Covid-19 crisis period, March 15-April 30, 2020)
• Screenshots of text message
• Screenshots of emails
• Certification of Cancellation from Producer/Client
Through company application:
1. Filled out National Registry for Companies Form
2. Filled out DEAR Application Form for Companies
3. Affidavit of Agreement of the Company
4. Affidavit of Agreement for each worker applied for
5. Copies of any proof of income of each worker applied for (Latest ITR, payslips, vouchers, issued Official OR by the worker to client/producer) (optional, if applicable)
6. Proof of Engagement/s of each worker applied for
• Call Sheet
• Screenshots of text message
• Screenshots of Emails
• Contract of Service
• Certificate of Engagement/s
• Any Certification duly signed by the Employer/Producer
7. Notice of Cancellation of each worker applied for
• Screenshot of Emails
• Screenshot of text messages regarding the suspension of work
• Proof of cancellation, etc., or certification from producer
APPLICATION PROCESS
Online Application
You can now fill up the ONLINE APPLICATION form HERE
1. Fill out the NATIONAL REGISTRY and DEAR Application forms available on this page. Print the form and fill it up legibly by hand or typed text.
2. Collect all the available documentary requirements and attachments, scan each document or take a photo of each.
3. Submit online to [email protected] with the following subject:
For individuals: [APPLICATION] DEAR LIVE! AV WORKERS (Surname, Name)
e.g., [APPLICATION] DEAR LIVE! AV WORKERS (Dela Cruz, Juan)
For companies: [APPLICATION] DEAR LIVE! Companies (Company Name)
e.g., [APPLICATION] DEAR LIVE! Companies (The Good Company)
4. Wait for the call of our FDCP DEAR AGENTS, who will help you through the rest of the application process.
5. Within three days, you will receive a message if you are eligible or ineligible in the program.
6. Once approved, your benefit payments will be deposited to your bank accounts or through money remittance centers.
Hard Copy Application
For applications during the COVID-19 situation, hard copy submissions are discouraged. However, drop boxes for DEAR applications will still be available at the FDCP Office at 855 TM Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila.
Application Dates
You must apply within thirty (30) days of the announcement of the activation of the DEAR Program through an FDCP Advisory released online and through mass media channels. For DEAR LIVE! applications related to the COVID-19 declaration, they may be submitted to FDCP from April 13-May 13, 2020.
Submission of Documentary Support
Make sure that all documentary requirements are available before lodging your application. However, if you cannot provide further documentary proof when you submit your forms, you will have twenty-one (21) calendar days from the time of your application to meet the requirements. Failure to do this shall forfeit the claim or will result in the return of the benefit to FDCP.
INELIGIBILITY
The following will NOT be eligible to apply for the program:
• Workers who are employees of companies regardless of status (regular, contractual, project-based, contract of service, etc.) and are in the monthly payroll of said companies.
• Workers who are entitled to regular employment compensation, waiting period credit, or benefits from SSS, DOLE, and other similar government institutions or agencies are NOT eligible for DEAR.
If you are an employee (regular, contractual, seasonal, project-based, contract of service etc.) of a company that is affected by a disaster as proclaimed by the President, please refer to the CAMP and TUPAD assistance programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or to the available programs of DTI, DSWD, SSS or other similar agencies.
RETURN SERVICE
The DEAR fund is a government fund for your welfare. In the spirit of serving the community and the stakeholders of the audiovisual industry, we ask beneficiaries of DEAR to commit to rendering return service by participating in at least two (2) FDCP- led or FDCP-supported events, activities, or projects as a volunteer worker or assistant, camera operator, etc.). The service must be rendered within two (2) years after you receive the DEAR assistance.
For company applications, companies must render return service to the community by participating in at least two (2) FDCP-led projects as professional service providers in the capacity of their field. The service must be rendered for free within two (2) years upon the receipt of the assistance.
DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
For inquiries, please email [email protected] with the following subject:
[INQUIRY] DEAR NR (Topic)
e.g., [INQUIRY] DEAR NR (Doc Requirements?)
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