ERWIN P. NICAVERA
September 8, 2020
LOCAL businessmen will underscore four major discussion points with some officials of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) who are arriving in Bacolod City Wednesday, September 9.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said they will have a meeting with the national group led by Covid-19 Task Force chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. and Visayas-IATF head retired Major General Mel Feliciano Wednesday afternoon.
Carbon said the implementation of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) is far from their minds now.
On Monday, September 7, the IATF approved a resolution placing Bacolod City under MECQ from September 8 to 30 due to the rising cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the Negros Occidental capital city.
"We are a little wary on the plans of these officials on how to contain the spread of the virus knowing they are military men," he said. "But the consoling fact is they are calling for a consultation meeting with the business sector."
The items the MBCCI is proposing to the IATF include non-implementation of
"total lockdown" for the entire city, as "it will practically erase the economic activity."
Carbon stressed that the problem now is not only about health, but also on the economy, specifically employment and livelihood losses.
Carbon said they will ask the IATF to allow public transportation to operate in areas that are safe for movement.
"Granular or localized lockdowns should be an option, which means only those areas with problems, or with high Covid transmissions, should be placed under lockdown," he added.
The second point that he business group would like to underscore is the need to be proactive by having a virus containment and business continuity plans.
"Let us have plans as these would help us know whether we are winning or losing. If there's a problem, we can immediately correct," Carbon said.
He also stressed the need to recapitalize small businesses, especially those that have closed due to the pandemic to help stir local economy.
Carbon said there is money with government banks and financial institutions like the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and small business corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry.
These rehabilitation funds, he said, should be brought down by the local government units (LGUs) using conduit banks like rural banks, micro finance firms and credit cooperatives for easy access by the micro and small enterprises.
Another point that the MBCCI would like the IATF officials to consider is strengthening the demand side or purchasing power of the people.
Carbon said in the meantime that businesses are still recovering and trying to hire, LGUs must create jobs and livelihood to fill in job losses and increase the buying power of the community.
The LBP and DBP have funds for that purpose specifically enabling LGUs to restart infrastructure programs, which will result in employment and boost purchasing power.
The LGU may also opt for micro lending or cash for work program, Carbon said, stressing that economy means production, selling and buying so there's a need to boost purchasing power.
"We hope that the national officials will also listen to us, we hope that they will consider these points," he added.
