Philippine Chamber bats for mass testing, food security, loans for small businesses

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Philippine Chamber bats for mass testing, food security, loans for small businesses

ABS-CBN News

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George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - One of the Philippines’ biggest business groups called on the government to implement mass testing, aim for food security, and provide small businesses easier access to loans as large parts of the country remained on lockdown for the fourth week.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the extension of the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon and other areas “provides a window for mass testing now that more hospitals and rapid mass testing kits have been accredited and Local Government Units have been directed to put up quarantine centers.”

The business group also said that once economic activity is allowed to resume, the government should focus on the domestic market by rehabilitating transport infrastructure, prioritizing manufacturing and agriculture supply chains and focusing on the domestic market--particularly on ensuring stable food supply.

“Priority must be given to the development of the agriculture and aquaculture sectors to ensure food security,” the Chamber said.

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The group also called for more support for the medium and small-scale enterprises (MSEs) which are badly affected by the lockdown.

“Most MSEs do not have the expertise to tap into formal credit facilities and it is in this regard that PCCI renews its call on the Bangko Sentral, banks and other financing institutions and the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) to simplify the process and make it easier for MSEs to access loans.”

The PCCI also said the government should eliminate barriers to logistics and include public transport in the list of essential industries.

The group said it recommends the partial lifting of the public transport sector ban, and the implementation of a unified cueing and dispatching scheme for public transport.

PCCI said if buses follow a regular trip schedule and have designated stops, physical distancing policies will be easier to enforce.

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