Mindanao traders seek assistance from gov’t

THE MINDANAO business sector has urged the national government to take proactive steps, including a six-moratorium on loans and intensified controls on prices of basic commodities, as the country has continued to grapple with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a consolidated 14-point petition of the private sector in Mindanao released Tuesday and signed by Maria Teresa R. Alegrio, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry area vice president for Mindanao, and six regional governors of the group, the business sector urged “President Duterte to immediately approve and implement the above measures to allow affected firms and households to cope with the adverse effects of COVID-19 and the fallout from countermeasures enforced by the national and local governments to curb its further spread.”

Among other requests, the business urged the the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department Finance to “encourage banks to declare a moratorium on loan amortizations falling due within six (6) months from the occurrence of COVID-19 for business, consumer, home and loans to large enterprises.

“Affected MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and even corporations have to apply with their respective universal, commercial and savings banks for the moratorium to take effect,” it said.

It also urged the Department of Trade and Industry to enforce price controls strictly “to keep food prices (and inflation) low, protect food supply and other basic and prime commodities, especially for the marginalized sectors, and enable trade to continue.”

Other recommendations included in the petition were;

That the Department of Finance allow tax payments after April 15th and waive applicable penalties and interest charges for delayed tax remittances;

That the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)enjoin the Telcos (PLDT and Globe) to remove all Data Capping in mobileBroadband Internet services, as a way to allow their customers a continuous service 24/7 until the crisis is declared over;

That, in consideration of the present situation where businesses are experiencing losses, to reconsider the holiday pay for workers for April 9, Holy Thursday, which is also Araw ng Kagitingan. The salary computation for the said date would total 300% if a business is in operation, and 200% if closed. Suggestion: 200% if in operation, and 100% if closed;

That vital industries like power, water, transport, telecommunications and others that provide essential services to the public continue to operate with

businesses and workers exercising the recommended protocols as prescribed by DOH and guidelines issued by DOLE;

That Mindanao be declared a separate food quarantine area to allow the unhampered delivery of food for the entire country.