THE COVID19 EXPERIENCE is another saga story of resilience and self-reliance among Filipinos. Amongst are jeepney drivers who found income in an online business making customized computer tables brought about by the travel ban on public utility vehicles (PUVs) due to the pandemic. While delivery services and home-based sellers with creative skills in cooking or beverage, are considered the emerging sectors amidst this crisis. In the context of sustainable development, local government units (LGUs) play a major role in community development and on the success of local industries such as tourism, manufacturing and other services. Hence, it is typically expected from LGUs to mitigate the rising unemployment problem caused by the closure of various businesses in their areas of responsibility.
According to DOLE Region 3, a total of 116,368 private sector workers were affected by the coronavirus phenomenon. Out of the 5,428 establishments, 1,671 establishments with 40,032 affected workers are from Pampanga, while 1,066 establishments which cover 32,129 workers are from Bulacan. 719 establishments with 10,013 workers are from Nueva Ecija; 670 with 12,072 workers from Bataan; 616 with 12,693 from Zambales; 488 with 7,129 workers from Tarlac and 198 establishments covering 2,300 workers from Aurora.
In Angeles City, as the current school year inches closer, some 1,000 poor but deserving students will receive Php 1,000 cash assistance from the city government after Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr.’s request to realign the P1 million budget of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) was granted by DOLE Region 3. It is an employment-bridging program that aims to provide temporary employment to disadvantaged youth to augment their family’s income and help ensure that beneficiaries are able to pursue their education.The said SPES budget was derived from the 60 percent counterpart of the city. Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel with the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) assured the expeditious release of the students’ cash assistance to address their urgent needs.
The city government also embarks in an “online market,” where micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can have a viable platform to sell products and earn money, at the comfort of their homes. In order to encourage more MSMEs to showcase their products at the One Town One Product (OTOP) shop, the standard fee of Php 500 has been waived by Lazatin. OTOP is a promotional program of the national government to actively produce and patronize local goods and products of towns, cities, and regions, and provides funding for small businesses. It is a priority stimulus program for MSMEs as the government’s customized intervention to drive inclusive local economic growth. The program enables localities and communities to determine, develop, support, and promote culturally-rooted products or services where they can be the best at or best renowned for. OTOP products vary, and can include fruits, specialty dishes, or handmade products.
Executive Assistant IV Manuel underscored that the “Pasal-one, Angeleno pa!” campaign aims to alleviate local businesses from the impact of COVID-19. She said local merchants can register in the OTOP Angeles City Store Facebook page by filling up the application form and it will be forwarded to the Angeles City Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (ACEDIPO). Manuel added that business starter kits will be distributed by the Department of Trade and Industry to identified beneficiaries of the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay program. Local merchants need to submit barangay permits while food enterprises should provide certification from the Food and Drug Administration.
Meanwhile, Lazatin regularly consults with members of the business sector through the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (MACCII) and the members of the Hotels and Restaurants Association in Pampanga (HARP) on how to resurrect local establishments burdened by this global pandemic. Lazatin declared business as usual amid the new normal and wants to reinvigorate the city by boosting the tourism industry. Initially, the collection of the Php 20 tourism fee for hotel customers has been suspended. Moreover, Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician IC Calaguas said the city government has developed an online application for local and foreign tourists to enjoy privileges and discounts in local hotels and restaurants once registered.
As part of the job generation program of Lazatin, the ACEDIPO, in cooperation with Starboard Manpower Services Inc., held lately an on-the-spot job hiring for Clark-based wig manufacturer Aderans Philippines Inc. However, Lazatin appealed to the business sector to prioritize Angeleños in providing job opportunities to ease the repercussions of this health crisis. He asked them to hire 80% of their workers from Angeles City and 20% workers from nearby towns and cities. The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has conducted 20 local recruitment activities even before the peak of the pandemic. At least 51 applicants were hired on the sport out of the 598 registered and referred applicants. Five special recruitment activities with five companies deployed 37 successful applicants overseas out of the 833 applicants. Also 43 trainees took skills training on dressmaking and beauty care.
Furthermore, Lazatin launched another impact project to ensure food security for Angeleños, dubbed as the ‘Luntian sa Barangay Lingap Project. Locals are encouraged to use vacant lots and practice gardening at the comfort of their homes. Various seeds such as pechay, mustasa, okra, and ampalaya were distributed to more than 150,000 recipients during food packs distribution.
Meanwhile the Pampanga provincial government has provided livelihood programs that have unlocked the skills of Cabalens in baking, carpentry, gardening and meat processing (tocino, longganisa, siomai, luncheon meat and burger patties) under the SMERA webinar series. Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda has also funded a home-based face mask-making livelihood program during the community quarantine in Lubao.
The main goal of businesses is to make a profit and governments’ goal is to ensure economic stability and growth. Both of them are different but very co-dependent. Business, with the support of government, must lead in driving economic growth and the government, with revenues from economic growth, must ensure that benefits are shared with the greater number of its citizens.