Capacity-building and other initiatives for micro, small, and medium enterprises in the Cordillera continue as the Department of Trade and Industry balances the call of healthcare frontliners and the need to revive the economy.
In Mountain Province, the DTI conducted orientation on the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay in four barangays of Sabangan and three barangays of Tadian.
A Kapatid Micro Mentor Me training was also conducted in Sagada capacitating six mentees on marketing. A seminar on the Promotion of Green Economic Development was also held at Barangay Bangaan.
In Apayao, a briefing on Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (NSB) were held in five pilot barangays in Conner.
DTI-Apayao also collaborated with the local government of Sta. Marcela for a Diskwento Caravan on Aug. 12 at the Panay Gymnasium. This is meant to uplift the economic sector amidst the Covid-19 by bringing discounted and reasonably priced goods to the communities and also to promote the purchase of local products.
In Ifugao, the DTI started to promote every Friday as OTOP live selling day for various products, proven an effective way to engage in business through social media under the new normal.
DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez said there is a need to balance health concerns and the need to help the economy bounce.
He said even the government’s decision to institute stricter quarantine measures in areas that were reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine is necessary to address the call of the healthcare frontliners.
He said President Rodrigo Duterte has also outlined other measures, such as hiring more healthcare workers and providing hazard allowance and insurance, to support their needs.
“Under the MECQ, there are still a number of business sectors allowed although most at limited scale, while some of the recently allowed sectors under GCQ such as dine-in restaurants, barbershops, salons, and the recent additions such as gyms, review and testing centers, other personal grooming shops, internet cafes, shall not be allowed temporarily in the next 15 days.” Lopes said.
“We hope that this break will allow these businesses to sufficiently prepare for better processes and facilities for compliance to the health standards when they soon reopen.”
“We wish that this move back to MECQ will break the increasing trend of positive Covid-19 cases and will eventually allow us to bring back the much needed livelihood and jobs to many of our countrymen,’ Lopez added.
He said the government has been very careful in reopening sectors focusing on those with highest impact on livelihood and MSMEs.
“Aside from these, we also made it clear to have very strict compliance to health protocols, otherwise we close the stores until they correct their deficiencies.” – Press release
April 26, 2024
