Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive officer Frank Carbon said imposing the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) on this city was farthest from the minds of the business sector.
Carbon said they will have a meeting with COVID-19 Task Force chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. and Visayas-IATF head Mel Feliciano to discuss the issue.
Bacolod, which has just reverted to General Community Quarantine last Sept 1, 2020, was placed under the stricter MECQ by the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) against COVID-19, which also caught the business sector by surprise.
“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. But the consoling fact is they are calling for a consultation meeting with the business sector,” Carbon said recently.
Carbon also said that the problem now is not only about health, but also the economy, specifically employment and livelihood losses.
He added that 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,” Carbon pointed out.
He also pointed out the need to be proactive by having virus containment and business continuity plans.
Carbon also said that there is need to recapitalize small businesses, especially those that have closed due to the pandemic to help stir the local economy.
Another point 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, local governments must create jobs and livelihood to fill in job losses and increase the buying power of the community.
The local government 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,” Carbon said. (Dolly Yasa via The Daily Guardian (TDG), photo by TDG)