28.5 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

8:53 PM

28.5 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

8:53 PM

9,672 firms applied for DOLE-10 assistance

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)—Recording 9,672 establishments that applied for assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10 Regional Director Mylah Faye Cariño said such only constitutes 25.8 percent of the 37,412 businesses in the region.

During the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, August 11, Cariño said only 36 establishments have closed in the region and 205 firms have reduced their workforce. 

“Naa pa’y 74 percent nga wala naapektuhan (There is still 74 percent, which were not affected). This means that 74 percent of the businesses here are thriving or doing well,” Cariño added.

In terms of imposing tax moratoriums, Cariño said only the national government has the power to do such. The national government has talked out several mechanisms to keep the balance on health and economy. 

“We support all interventions that would sustain all operations of our businesses,” Cariño said. 

As for the power generating and distributing companies in the region, the regional director said these companies, which are providing essential services, still continue their operations and Region 10 still supplies 50 percent of the power in Mindanao.

On the status of new businesses in the region, Cariño said there are 79 newly registered corporations based on the Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC) data. 

These include businesses on trading, manufacturing, construction, and selling of personal protective equipment (PPEs). Also, data from DTI shows that the existing businesses on handicrafts now shifted to the production of PPEs and face masks. 

Meanwhile, for tourism-related businesses, the Department of Tourism (DOT)-10 provided certificates of authority to operate to 17 businesses of which 4 are from CDO, Misamis Oriental (2), Bukidnon (9), Lanao del Norte (2). 

Prior to operation, Cariño said businesses should comply with certain requirements including the business permit, DTI registration, and the health standard protocols should be embedded in their operations. 

As of August 11, there are a total of 763 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region, wherein 401 have recovered, 12 have expired, and 350 have recovered. (RTP/PIA10)