COLLABORATION between the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector is vital in the recovery of the local economy.
With almost 80 percent of the country’s economy slowly re-opening, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Felix Taguiam said businesses still face a big problem as market confidence has not returned.
“Consumer confidence and consumer spending are still not there. It is still very low. Our clients are more conscious of coming out because they’re so afraid of what happened during the early months of the pandemic,” said Taguiam.
But he noted that the business community remains hopeful and expects sales to slowly pick up leading to the Christmas season.
“Collaboration with the LGUs is a priority in order for the private sector to move and alleviate the plight of all businesses, especially in the movement of employees,” he said.
Taguiam said the flattening of the curve can also encourage consumers to go out and spend, while adhering to the health protocols.
“Covid-19 is still there. Lurking and waiting to hit someone. What we need to do is we should be careful. We should live with it under the new normal and we have to be careful,” he said.
Taguiam also lauded the efforts of other business leaders in keeping their workplace safe for both employees and customers.
“So far, we have been doing a great job. And I hope sooner or later, the LGUs will continue to keep on opening up more businesses. Although they don’t really give us everything we want, but in due time, step by step, week by week, they will start allowing businesses that want to open. It is a good sign for all of us,” he said.
Recently, the government, through the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases adjusted the age requirements of those who can go out of their homes. Persons from 15 to 65 years old are now allowed to go out.
Several easements like the operational capacity of hotels, mall-wide sales and promotional activities are now also allowed to support the re-opening of industries that have been badly-hit by the pandemic. (JOB)