Helping severely affected local businesses in the nation’s capital is among the Manila City government’s priorities on top of the efforts to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso assured the public Thursday.
Domagoso made the assurance to entrepreneurs and big business owners during the launch of the “Paskuhan sa Maynila” Christmas village and bazaar as the capital city begins to celebrate the pandemic-stricken holiday season.
With the help of the Manila City Bureau of Permits, the Mayor stressed that the city government will do its best to support businesses by launching initiatives that will stimulate the economy and boost consumer confidence.
“Ang inyong Pamahalaang Lungsod, through the leadership of Director Levi Facundo, has been engaging our business community in the City of Manila na kami ang maging tulay man lamang na sila ay makatawid sa kabilang dako ng dalampasigan kung saan may naghihintay na magandang bukas rin para sa ating lahat,” Domagoso said.
“If we’re going to be successful later on to help for these businesses to survive, then naturally we continue to protect the interest of employees who lost their jobs,” he added.
According to the Mayor, it is “undeniable” that the pandemic has affected not only Manila’s public health sector but also the local economy of the city.
“Hindi na pwedeng ikubli, hindi na pwedeng ikaila na masyado na tayong naapektuhan ng pandemyang ito on top of the health issue. Now it’s the economic issue of the country, of the city, and of the people,” Domagoso said.
“Maraming nawalan ng trabaho dahil maraming nagsasarang negosyo, hindi na kinaya ang sampung buwang pahirap dulot ng pandemya,” he added.
Domagoso said he has already issued a directive to various city government agencies to encourage the public to support locally made products to stimulate the economy.
“Ngayong gabi may pagkakataon na maghanap-buhay ang mga may negosyo sa Maynila. Ngayong gabi, mararamdaman sa Maynila ang Pasko. Ngayong gabi may oportunidad sa bawat tao,” Domagoso said.
“Welcome po kayo sa Maynila. In fact, hindi lang kayo welcome, malugod namin kayong tinatanggap. Dumako kayo dito, maghanap-buhay kayo, pero nakikisuyo ako, ingatan niyo ang inyong sarili,” the Mayor added.