Many micro, small and medium enterprises in Yolanda-ravaged Leyte still find it hard to get back on their feet and are seeking the help of “big brothers” in Cebu and Manila, through a proposed “adopt a business program.”
The objective of the program is for the enterprises that suffered devastation damages and losses from the super typhoon to be helped and supported by big businesses in Manila and other metropolitan areas in their process of recovery.
According to Welcome Home Leyte Holdings, Inc. vice president Oliver Cam, the program will assist the distressed companies to find access to capital and to other inputs, such as fresh stocks. Ca added that some Tacloban mSMEs have directly approached such big businesses in their desire to recover and have received positive response.
Procter and Gamble, for example, has agreed to replenish stocks in about 100 stores on outright consignment basis.
Meanwhile, the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry has suggested the putting up of a business help desk, to be manned by staff from the Department of Trade and Industry, the city licensing office, and the city treasurer’s office.
Cam added that most of the affected small businesses need credit but could not obtain fresh loans from formal sources on top of their unsettled financial obligations, no thanks to the calamity that befell them.
“Their means of income was wiped out. They’re still liable to pay loans. In order to avail new loans, it is quite impossible since second mortgage is not being applied in the Philippines,” Cam said.
The current situation in the city’s business district reflects the magnitude of the disaster; even major shops — Gaisano, Mercury Drug, Mister Donut, Three-Sixty Pharmacy — are still closed four months after the catastrophe. These shops suffered losses from strong winds, storm surges, and looting incidents.
Citing reports from the city government, Cam said just more than 500 business have resumed operations as of last week, a small fraction of the 11,259 business registered last year. Some 1,500 applications are now being processed.
City Vice-Mayor Jerry T. Yaokasin said the city council approved a resolution extending the deadline for renewal of business permits to June 20, five months later than the usual Jan. 20 deadline.
Aside from extending the deadline for the payment of business taxes and renewal of business permits and licenses for 2014, the city council also condoned delinquent real property taxes and business taxes, including interests and penalties, for 2013 and prior years.
Other perks include suspension of collection of real property taxes for 2014. There is also a freeze in the adjustment of rates of taxes, fees and charges as well as the collection of socialized housing tax, idle land tax and garbage fees for this year.
The council also waived fees for electrical permits for reconnection of power lines; building permit fees and charges for reconstruction; rebuilding; demolition and repair of infrastructure and houses damaged by the storm.
(Adapted from a story on Bworldonline by Sarwell Q. Meniano)
Photo: From newsinfo.inquirer.net