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Lopez urges Filipinos to patronize MSMEs to support recovery

Business

Lopez urges Filipinos to patronize MSMEs to support recovery

By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez has urged Filipinos to patronize local establishments and products for their events and gatherings this Christmas season to support micro, small and medium enterprises and prop up the overall recovery of the domestic economy.

Lopez aired this appeal during the Laging Handa Press Briefing in Malacanang where he also equally stressed the need to strictly observe the health and safety protocols when dining out and going to malls this Christmas season.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez (Bloomberg file photo)

“If you are holding get-together of 5 or 6 persons, hold it in a restaurant to support our entrepreneurs recover, but follow the health and safety protocols,” he urged.

Following the safety and health protocols would prevent COVID-19 transmission and boost consumer confidence and encourage further opening of more sectors. He stressed the need to continue opening up various sectors as the Philippine economy is suffering in terms of hunger, poverty and unemployment, due to closures of establishments due to prolonged lockdowns.

There have been fears of surge in transmission cases during the Christmas season as people hold

gatherings with families and more people going out to malls and shopping districts.

As such, the government is ensuring there is proper contact tracing. Lopez has urged everyone to download the StaySafePH app which is approved by the Department of Health. The app also ensures data privacy of individuals.

Meantime, Lopez said they continue to monitor prices of basic necessities and prime commodities as well as other industries. He, however, reiterated that manufacturers of Noche Buena products have already committed not to raise prices this Christmas season.

Related Tags

DTI MSMES Ramon Lopez

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