PASAY CITY -- Presidential aspirant and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go vowed to support and promote more initiatives that would benefit the entrepreneurial sector as he emphasized the critical role that small businesses play in the economic recovery of the country.
In line with this, his team mounted relief efforts for micro-entrepreneurs in San Fernando, Cajidiocan and Magdiwang, Romblon on Friday, November 26.
Go, in his video message, underscored the significance of small businesses in the financial stability of the country. He noted that they do not require huge capital yet they provide numerous opportunities for many struggling Filipinos.
"Malaking bahagi ng ekonomiya ang mga (micro, small at medium enterprises). Habang tumatagal ang COVID-19 situation sa bansa, kailangang suportahan ng gobyerno ang kanilang kapakanan para buhayin ang mga maliliit na negosyo at maiahon ang mga empleyado mula sa krisis na ito," said Go.
"Importante ang suporta na ito para mapagaan ang pinapasan nila. Kung gusto nating mabilis na manumbalik ang sigla ng ekonomiya, kailangan nating tulungan ang mga maliliit na negosyante na makabangon din," he continued.
Earlier, Go said that in the immediate term, one of the government’s goals is to provide assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises. To this end, Go cited the need to strengthen the capacity of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines in order to provide much-needed access to credit and financial assistance to distressed businesses. The senator also pointed out the need to lower the overall cost of borrowing for MSMEs.
During the activity, the senator’s outreach team distributed snacks and masks to a total of 471 small business owners at the San Fernando Public Auditorium, Romblon State University-Cajidiocan Campus and Magdiwang Municipal Hall. They also gave computer tablets and new pairs of shoes to select recipients.
The activities were conducted in batches to ensure that health protocols against COVID-19 were strictly observed.
As part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of the national health crisis on vulnerable sectors, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed livelihood assistance through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.
“Dapat suportahan natin ang mga kababayan nating nais magsimula ng kanilang sariling negosyo. Dapat turuan at tulungan natin sila mabigyan ng kapital,” Go said.
“Salamat po sa DSWD sa programang SLP-LAG. Bibigyan ho kayo ng puhunan at tuturuan po kayong magnegosyo. Palaguin n’yo po ang inyong negosyo, gamitin n’yo po sa tama, dalahin n’yo po sa inyong pamilya ang inyong kita,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority gave livelihood support and scholarship grants to qualified individuals, respectively.
In addition, the senator offered to help those needing medical attention as he encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Center at Romblon Provincial Hospital in Odiongan.
