Business backs gov’t measures vs COVID-19 pandemic

The Makati Business Club thinks the private sector could do much more to lessen the impact on people of the current health crisis, as President Duterte suddenly goes soft on big businesses and seeks their help in this difficult time.

The MBC said in a statement on Tuesday that it was calling on its members and other companies to help employees comply with quarantine, curfew and other measures meant to slow the spread of COVID-19.

These include aggressive work-from-home arrangements, pro-active social distancing and other precautionary measures for workers needed on site.

The group also recommended expanding paid sick leave for regular employees, and ensuring sick employees go on sick leave, “especially after DOLE (the Department of Labor and Employment) pledged to cover the cost.”

“Makati Business Club supports the measures the national and local governments are taking to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.

“We acknowledge review and revision will be needed, including ways to ensure people can make a living or receive assistance, and that food and other goods can move in a timely manner,” it added.

The group released the statement in the morning after Mr. Duterte’s recorded speech. In his speech on Monday night, Duterte appealed to conglomerates for help.

“You might be able to really alleviate the situation by just understanding the plight of the workers who are not working now and, lawfully, are not really in a position to demand,” Mr. Duterte said.

MBC said they supported the President’s call for companies to grant loans or early bonuses or 13th month pay to employees who might need the money to support their families.

“We call on the government to explore a quick way to give laid-off employees unemployment benefits or loans, especially if they are not entitled to this from SSS or elsewhere, including contractual and informal workers,” it noted.

“This is both humanitarian and good for the economy, which needs Filipinos to spend to limit the downturn,” it added.

While limiting the spread is important, the MBC said it was also important to support businesses, especially small and medium enterprises and their employees, during this period.

“To that end, we call on our members and other businesses to give small and medium enterprises concessions on payments for loan payments, rent, utilities, supplies, and others,” MBC said.

The group appealed to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to extend the deadline for filing and paying income taxes. It also welcomed the central bank’s extension of financial and regulatory relief to banks, other financial institutions and borrowers.

“We ask the administration and Congress to pursue these and other measures to help displaced employees and struggling businesses, including reallocating unused discretionary funds or other budgets for funding high priority social needs in this emergency,” it said. INQ