The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan has requested Governor Jose C. Alvarez, through Palawan Provincial Economic Enterprises Development Office (PPEEDO), to consider implementing a financial assistance program that will help local businessmen affected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Board Member Ryan Maminta, author of the measure, said that a substantial number of businesses in the province has been affected seriously by COVID-19, and a stimulus package and financial assistance will significantly help them to bounce back.
In a press release, the resolution said that the provision of development programs for micro, small and medium enterprises such as management assistance, marketing promotion, product development and financial/ loan assistance are among the mandates and functions of the PEEDO.
The resolution likewise urged PEEDO to provide financial assistance as capital and any other stimulus program so that the affected businessmen can bounce back and recover from his loses incurred during their closure due to heightened health safety measures enforced these past months.
“For the purpose of empowering our local entrepreneurs, and with a common goal of building an active business sector and enhance local market competitiveness amidst the ongoing pandemic, our local entrepreneurs should be provided assistance through loans, thus serving as their capital,” Board Member Maminta said.
The province, with tourism, agriculture and fisheries as predominant industries, has been hit badly by COVID-19, after the tourism sector was brought to a standstill these past few months. Most, if not all of the Tourism Related Establishments (TREs) such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, tour agencies, etc. in the province claimed that they suffered losses due to pandemic.
Recently, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that they consider to restore domestic tourism in three areas in Palawan such as El Nido, Coron and San Vicente, considered as the major tourism destinations in the province. The DOT said that the three tourism towns of Palawan has reported that the tourism sector has some P3.1 billion in tourism revenue losses due to COVID-19.