AN OFFICIAL of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) said it is about time to put more effort into economic and business recovery initiatives.

Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the MBCCI, said the fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is in the good hands of Inter-Agency Task Force-Visayas chief implementer retired general Mel Feliciano and wife, Mia.

Carbon said it is now gaining ground.

"Let us now start generating employment and livelihood," he said.

To realize this, the business group is suggesting the setting up of an Economic Recovery Center, developing a business continuity plan, and putting up a small business help desk.

The MBCCI also suggests starting inter-island and province trading, underscoring that inter-province trading contributes 20 to 30 percent to the local economy.

"Ferry services for goods and passengers between Bacolod and Iloilo, Negros and Cebu, Negros and Guimaras, and Negros and Panay should be opened," it said.

Carbon said the opening of tourist destinations should also be considered.

"Let us send our tourist office personnel to Boracay and Panglao Islands to learn first hand from experiences of these two Island resorts," he said, adding that "we should then prepare our tourist destinations for eventual reopening."

The business leader reiterated their call to local government units that they should avail of the financial assistance offered by the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines.

"We have to start programs that will generate jobs and livelihood through one, restarting infrastructure projects, implementing cash for work programs and providing micro-grants for micro-businesses," Carbon said.

These programs can bring back the confidence of the community to the local economy, he added.