A "four-wheel drive" vehicle is needed to sustain the economic recovery, a local business leader said.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), reiterated that Western Visayas economic recovery is underway.
"But, for our recovery to move in a sustainable manner, the four wheels of the vehicle must move in unison to create an economic development momentum," he stressed.
For Carbon, the "four wheels" include local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies (NGAs), national government, community and business sector.
In terms of roles, the LGUs, he said, should ensure that the active coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases are put to controllable level to allay the infection fears of the public.
They should prepare "ready to go" programs to generate jobs and livelihoods.
Carbon said these programs should readily catch the financial stimulus funds of the national government once released to the LGUs.
The NGAs, meanwhile, should support the recovery efforts of the business sector and ensure that the basic needs of the populace are met which means available and at affordable price, he added.
The MBCCI official underscored that the national government should draw-up the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), as quickly as possible, of the Bayanihan 2 Law.
According to him, some of the important features of the law include P13 billion for cash-for-work programs; P6 billion for the food and livelihood assistance grants to households in areas on hard lockdowns; P1.5 billion in assistance to LGUs under the Local Government Support Fund; P2 billion to subsidize payment of interest on new and existing loans secured by the LGUs; and no tax hikes as economy recovers.
For the third wheel, the community, it has to take full responsibility in stopping the spread of the virus.
Carbon pointed out that from barangay officials to households, each one should devise its own protective measures, in addition to the practice of safety protocols like avoiding parties, proper hand washing and staying healthy, among others.
The business sector, on the other hand, should reopen, reinvest and start rehiring.
"Safety protocols in stores and offices should be practiced," he said, adding that businesses should cooperate with LGUs in stopping the spread of the virus especially avoiding the conduct of "super spreaders" like conventions, mall sales and agriculture sales or forums, among others.