ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 20 - Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Western Visayas governor Ronald So said that some businesses on the brink of closing operation were able to sustain operation through the government's COVID-19 response and mitigation.

So, who was among the resource persons of the November 20 Episode 2 Dagyaw Virtual Town Hall Meeting, said that that the COVID-19 Adjustment Measure Program (CAMP), Small Business Wage Subsidy (SWBS) Program and COVID CARES Program have helped the businesses and employees affected by pandemic.

However, he added that the chamber has also initiated a 10-point petition as part of its advocacy to continue and sustain economic growth and development amid the health crisis.

These include an extension of tax remittances as well as due dates of utility companies, removal of Telcos data capping, moratorium on loan amortizations, commodity price control, subsidies and assistance to MSMEs, lessors waive on rentals, regionwide unified protocols and strict implementation of health protocols.

"Right after the declaration of the pandemic and looking at the situation, we did the petition and sent it to the national chamber for consolidation so that it would also help us in our economic situation," he said.

So added that the PCCI has also sent a manifesto for the immediate enactment of CREATE Bill which seeks to cut the corporate tax from 30 to 25 percent and a gradual decrease of one percent per year until 2027.

CREATE stands for Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises.

"This reduction from our taxes would help us a lot in terms of investing in other businesses," he stressed.

The chamber has also conducted webinars on Creating Linkages for Businesses and Transforming for Growth - What it Takes to Win among its members and the MSMEs as part of its advocacies on jumpstarting local economic activities amid the pandemic.

So also thanked the Iloilo City government for staging the "Market Market" as among the economic activities to help businesses jumpstart operations in the region.

The chamber also reechoed PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico's call to buy first local products and travel within the country dubbed "Pinas muna Tayo. Pinas for travel. Pinas for shopping" to help in the country's economy.

The PCCI thru its local chapters in Aklan, Boracay, Guimaras, Metro Bacolod in Negros Occidental, Capiz and Iloilo has helped the frontliners, local government units, hospitals and individuals in need of help through the donation of face masks, face shields and PPEs as part of the group's social responsibility during the initial months of the pandemic. (JBG/AAL/PIA Capiz)