Economy task group focuses on keeping businesses afloat amid COVID-19

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 12 -- In its eleventh meeting via video conference last Aug. 4, the Northern Mindanao Economy Task Group for COVID-19 tackled concerns of the business sector as well as the challenges encountered by the member-agencies amid the lingering pandemic.

Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 said that 5,410 or 91.8 percent of establishments monitored were certified as compliant with health protocols required in workplaces, while 36 companies reported to have permanently closed displacing 666 workers as of August 3, 2020. Those monitoried engaged in wholesale and/or retail trade whose businesses were mostly based in Cagayan de Oro City.

Suyao assured that DOLE-10 along with their partners are committed to ensuring that all operating businesses comply with health protocols. The agency head shared that Northern Mindanao is one of the active regions, placing second to NCR in terms of monitoring coverage and in employing zoning strategy.

“Monitoring the 37,000 establishments in the region is a tall order, but we are working at our best given the available resources,” Suyao stressed.

Ghaye Alegrio, member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), bared concerns regarding the utilization rate of the ER 1-94 funds from the Department of Energy (DOE) for public health emergency projects.  She also cited the need to harmonize travel guidelines in handling Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) entering the region from high-risk areas.

Inter-zonal mobility of APOR personnel that offer highly technical jobs for essential and large manufacturing industries in the country and their travel protocols are not explicitly defined in the Community Quarantine Omnibus Guidelines as of July 16, 2020.

Hence,  the task group will refer this to the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF-MEID)- X  for possible  endorsement to the National  IATF.  Miss Alegrio also highlighted strengthening interconnectivity of energy sources within Visayas and Mindanao.

Moreover, Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 announced that they are continuing the issuance of licenses to livestock and poultry dealers.

Also, she reported that its "KADIWA On Wheels" mobile market was able to generate P14.12 million sales for 71 days, assisting 66 suppliers and has served 56,160 households in the region. The agency plans to sustain the said project even beyond the pandemic. The Plant, Plant, Plant Program distributed 25,442 assorted seeds to various stakeholders and planting materials to farmer-beneficiaries.

On the delivery of social welfare grants, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 reported that it had served 19,468 low-income families on the waitlist in 92 local government units through the Social Amelioration Program (SAP). Also, the Livelihood Assistance Grants program amounting to P126.96 million were provided to 12,670 families with affected businesses.

Assistant Regional Director Ermedio J. Abang of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10  disclosed that a total of 127 applications amounting to P8.02 million was approved under the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) Program.

DTI-10 has conducted 1,100 monitoring activities as of Aug. 3,2020. Compliance rate of establishments is at 99 percent. They have conducted 23 joint operations with law enforcement agencies and have arrested 29 persons to date.

Meanwhile, Roderico Bioco, President of the Bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presented the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) – Antigen/Antibody Test for COVID-19.

The Chamber President shared that there is an existing ELISA technology in the country and it would be more efficient to utilize this given the resources. The method is said to be used as the standard in Red Cross Chapters across the world. It is also internationally recognized as the alternative to RT-PCR testing. The Red Cross Bukidnon Chapter advocates for ELISA as it can detect late manifestation of antibodies. The Task Group will endorse the said proposal to the RIATF-MEID X for consideration. (Kathleen Navarra/NEDA10)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1050002