Biz exec asks gov’t to step in

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – An official of the business community here is asking the government to step in to further prime up the local economy and provide employment by restarting infrastructure projects that were suspended due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Frank Carbon, executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Daily Guardian that the business community is still reeling from the effects of COVID-19.

 

“That is why we are asking the government to step in and help the private sector,” Carbon said.

 

He said that restarting the infra projects can provide immediate employment.

 

“If there are projects that are scheduled for bidding, these should as well be bid out.”

 

He also said that for now, about 90 percent of the businesses are reopening but they cannot take back full manpower complement yet and most of them have not gone back to their offices as well.

 

“We cannot totally open up yet. We don’t know yet how much income or revenue will be coming in, we are still studying so that we can match it with our expenses,” Carbon said.

 

He added that reduced manpower means less salary thus less purchasing power.

 

“That is why we are asking the government to fill in anay,” Carbon said.