The “MayniLOVE” event held by the Manila City government has drawn around P1.8 million in earnings for small and medium businesses during its two-week run from Feb. 1 to 15.
It also generated 182 jobs, the Manila Bureau of Permits said on Thursday (Feb. 18).
Thirty-seven stalls at Mehan Garden and 11 stalls from two malls, Robinsons Place Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall, participated in the event.
Bureau of Permits Director Levi Facundo attributed the success of the Valentine's month event to the city government's efforts to boost consumer confidence.
"The abovementioned figures will surely help our local economy and the people who benefited from this event. These kinds of events are very helpful to the local economy to help balance and complete the economic business cycle," he said in a statement.
"This only shows that consumer confidence has increased because of what our local government is doing," he added. "People know. People noticed our readiness and remain hopeful because of our local government’s efforts."
Aside from the event, the Manila city government has also been providing free swab tests to public transportation drivers, public market vendors, and employees of malls and hotels to ensure the safety of consumers.
This is on top of the free swab tests being provided by city government at the Quirino Grandstand and at the city's six district hospitals.
These are Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Hospital, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Tondo, and Sta. Ana Hospital.
Aside from the income and jobs generated, Facundo said "priceless moments" were made between family members, friends, and partners during the “MayniLOVE” event despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Success in every event we do under the Manila Support Local is not only gauged by measurable things but more importantly the things we cannot measure - these are the priceless moments you see along the way," he said.
"It really feels good to know that life’s events are far more important than anything else. That love for our family especially in this time of uncertainty is all the world to us that they are still here with us," he added.