The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has appealed to Congress and the government’s economic managers to pass measures to stimulate private sector activity when quarantine measures are lifted.
The PCCI said in a statement the Philippine Economic Stimulus Act (PESA) was in line with its own roadmap for economic recovery.
Benedicto Yujuico, the PCCI president, said the roadmap prioritizes for recovery land transportation, the agri-fisheries sector and its supply chain, construction, and micro, small-medium enterprises.
“Our food producers have lost significant amount of income because of barriers to logistics posted by the enhanced community quarantine,” he said.
Movement of highly perishable agricultural and fishery products has been hampered, and related food sectors such as food processing, retailing and restaurants were severely affected, he said.
The PCCI proposes mores loans, guarantees and grants to the agri-fishery sector, no-interest loans to MSMEs, support for public transportation and innovation through the adoption of digital technology. (Jojo Mangahis)