The Mandaue Investment and Promotions Actions Center (MIPAC) organized an online consultation between the City’s Business Sector and Mandaue City Government to ensure the continued mutual support amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last June 10, 2020, MIPAC and the Local Government of Mandaue City, headed by Mayor Jonas Cortes, conducted an online consultation with the business sector, represented by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). It aimed to know the status and the challenges faced by the business sector in this time of crisis. The City Government sees this as an opportunity to be able to grasp the actual situation of our economy through the pulse of our local business community and to address their concerns.
Among the topics discussed are the following:
- The results of the survey conducted by MCCI in relation to the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) as presented by Mr. Steven Yu, MCCI’s President. Respondents of the survey expressed some challenges they have faced with regard to DOLE’s CAMP such as the lack of acknowledgement, response or follow-up from DOLE with regard to their application and the numerous and complicated requirements needed to avail of the program. MCCI has sent a letter to the Mandaue City LGU indicating the results of the survey which the City Government will endorse to DOLE.
- Concerns in relation to the availability of public transport in the City of Mandaue. Public transportation is one of the primary concerns of everyone especially of employees. The City of Mandaue through the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) presented the fifteen (15) bus routes of Mandaue City. Three (3) of these routes are intra-city, which means that these buses will traverse only within the jurisdiction of Mandaue City, while the other twelve (12) routes are inter-city, traversing the Cities of Cebu and Lapu-lapu, and even going as far as Liloan, Cebu.
- Special Permit to Operate In an Executive Order issued by Mayor Jonas Cortes, businesses are mandated to apply for a Special Permit to Operate (SPTO). The head of Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), Atty. Lizer Malate, expressed that this initiative is done to monitor businesses and for safety purposes – for the protection of company employees and customers. As of June 9, there had been 2,542 applications approved. The Mandaue City Legal Enforcement Unit Inspection Team continues to inspect businesses all over Mandaue to check their permit and ensure that businesses are following the standard safety health protocols.
- Post COVID-19 Recovery Plan The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry is planning to come up with a Post COVID-19 Recovery Plan that aims to guide the Local Government of Mandaue on the needs and concerns of the business sector with hopes of helping the recovery of our local economy. On the other hand, the Mandaue City Government through the Mandaue Investment Promotions Action Center (MIPAC) continues to find ways to help businesses especially our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). MIPAC is closely coordinating with banks and other financial institutions to look for possibilities of linking them to our MSMEs to help them financially capacitate themselves.