BIZ GROUPS BACK EASING OF QUARANTINES IN OCT
PHILIPPINE businesses expressed “strong support” for moves to place areas of the country under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) by next month.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Emeritus George Barcelon said loosening restrictions will be the “key to injecting life” into the economy.
Last Monday, Malacañang said some areas of the country would be placed under MGCQ given that these areas would have low or no coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) transmissions.
“The business community has realized that’s the key to really injecting life into the economy. In the past month or so, as Chairman Treasurer Mr. Ortiz [Sergio Ortiz-luis] mentioned, there was a meeting attended by many business groups and primarily the consensus is that, you know, having the protocols that was arrived at, the seven commandments, those we think are
really good enough to protect the commuters,” Barcelon said.
He explained that these seven commandments are the minimum health standards recommended by the national government, topped by the wearing of face masks and face shields.
The list also includes social distancing; having open ventilation in transportation; and keeping on hand cleaning solutions like alcohol and hand sanitizers, among others.
Barcelon added that the MGCQ should go with allowing mass transport to resume operations. He said jeepneys should be allowed to ply the roads to bring commuters from secondary roads to main thoroughfares where they can board mass transport facilities like buses and trains.
He said that if the government only allowed 50 percent of the ridership of mass transport such as jeepneys and buses, the drivers will again be employed and more Filipinos will be able to go to work.
Satellite technology
THE PCCI is also pushing for the liberalization of access to satellite technology to provide Internet connection to all Filipinos.
In a press briefing on Thursday, PCCI President Benedicto Yujuico said 15 satellites are currently available to be used to expand Internet access for all.
However, the government mandates that using these satellites requires a franchise which is stated in Executive Order 467 signed and issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos.
“We will continue to pursue our advocacy for the liberalization of access to satellite technology through the amendment of EO 467. The amendment will remove the franchise requirement in the access of international satellite systems in unserved and underserved areas,” Yujuico said.
“There are currently 15 satellites that cover the country today ready to deliver broadband. However, the use of satellites for the Internet has been negligible due to restrictions that limit their use to telecommunication companies with congressional franchise under EO 467,” he explained.
Yujuico said 40 percent of the population, 57 percent of households and 52 percent of public schools nationwide still have zero access to Internet facilities.
The absence of Internet connection, he added, means many offices, businesses, workers, students and citizens will be excluded and left behind.
Essential government and commercial transactions can shift to digital modes, especially under the new normal, if the infrastructure problem is addressed, he said..
The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) earlier said Filipinos should brace for a digital new normal and that local government units (LGUS) need to step up in bridging the digital divide, beginning in their localities.
“We are now pursuing this by urging the signing of a new Executive Order on satellite access liberalization—to effect an immediate expanded Internet coverage and to improve connectivity, and the enactment of the Open Access in Data Technology Act or the Better Internet Act, to enforce a simple expeditious administrative process for new market entrants, as well as fasttrack and lower the cost of broadband network rollout,” Yujuico said.
Shop All
THE PCCI, in the upcoming Philippine Business Conference (PBC), will focus on innovations and the need to prioritize local products and services.
PCCI chairman for the 46th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) Enunina Mangio said the PCCI will launch during the conference and expo its very own online mall—shop All.
This online portal will initially showcase the best of Philippine products to encourage more Filipinos to buy local. Eventually, the site will also feature international goods.
Mangio said Shop All is the brainchild of Yujuico and PCCI Chairman Emeritus and Director Francis C. Chua. It will be an e-market platform for all PCCI members.
The PCCI worked with fintech firms Pearl Pay and Leentech to create the site. Shop All will be launched on October 8, the second day of the PBC&E.
Yujuico also said the PCCI aims to make entrepreneurs and firms the dominant force in innovation through its Innovation Center. The Center will provide information and education materials, lectures, workshops, and advice or mentoring to its members.
The Center will also provide resource allocation, technical service and technical evaluation to enable entrepreneurs/innovators to commercialize technologies faster.