VISAYAS Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) retired major general Mel Feliciano has asked for a two-week time to help open up businesses as well as create more employment and livelihood in Bacolod City that remains to be under a stricter quarantine status amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
On Friday, Feliciano met with representatives of various business organizations in Negros Occidental as part of the national government's Covid-19 response in the city and province.
Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) chief executive officer Frank Carbon, who was present at the meeting, said the official asked for two weeks to install a digital data gathering system, including the setting up of a Covid information data bank.
Carbon said Feliciano is also pushing for the development of a comprehensive and up-to-date report on where, how and why of local transmission.
"He asked for such period to also prepare a virus containment and business continuity plan. Implement it, monitor progress and revise, if needed," the business leader added.
It can be recalled that Feliciano was also part of the Covid mission in Cebu City, which was previously the epicenter of the virus.
He now joins other NIATF officials including Covid-19 Task Force chief implementer Secretary Galvez Jr. and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, among others, who were sent by President Rodrigo Duterte in response to the request for help of Bacolod City Mayor Evelio amid the rising cases in the city.
During the said meeting, the business sector submitted a position paper following the recommendation of the NIATF to upgrade the status of Negros Occidental capital city to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
The position stated that there should be no total lockdown for the economy.
It said quarantine measures are necessary to stop transmission in its tracks, but specific measures to be taken should consider the balance between slowing down the rate of infections and its impact on the economy.
"Local government units (LGUs) must properly weigh the health and economic factors and consequences in the fight against Covid-19," it said, adding that at this point, another total lockdown will practically erase economic activity.
Businessmen underscored that the people of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental are already suffering from the impact of the economic downturn due to the quarantine measures imposed earlier this year.
A disregard for the economic impact of any decisions made may lead to more businesses closing, increase joblessness, more people falling deeper into poverty and its knock-on effects on peace and order, they said.
The business groups appealed for measures that will keep the local economy afloat so as not to make it difficult to revive the economy once this period of restricted living is over.
The position paper further stated that first, granular or localized lockdowns should be an option.
This means that only those areas with problems, or with high Covid-19 transmission rates, should be placed under lockdown. More so, allow public transportation to operate in areas that are safe for movement.
The second point that the business sector would like to underscore is the need to be proactive by having a virus containment and business continuity plans.
"The LGU should have plans to help us determine whether we are winning or losing," it said.
Third, the business community stresses the need to recapitalize small businesses, especially those that have closed due to the pandemic to help stir the local economy.
The MBCCI reiterated that 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 should be brought down by the LGUs using conduit banks like rural banks, microfinance firms and credit cooperatives to give the micro and small enterprises access to them, the chamber pointed out.
The fourth point to consider is strengthening the demand side or purchasing power of the people.
The business sector believes that while 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 position paper said 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 programs.
This is an urgent call to the national and local government by members of the local business community, it added.
For Carbon, what impressed on their minds during the meeting is the "where is Covid" statement of Feliciano.
"In a way, he is saying that he cannot answer now the first and second points, but he said give me two weeks as he might be able to help open up businesses and create more jobs and livelihood," he said.
The MBCCI official added that there's action and direction so he urged businesses to "hang on, do not go under as help is coming."