By Mario Casayuran Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go emphasized today (April 21) the crucial role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country’s economy badly hit by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the country. Sen. Bong Go
(Office of Sen. Bong Go / MANILA BULLETIN) Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, stressed this as the government approved the Department of Finance’s proposed Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program that would provide assistance to employees of MSMEs affected by the COVID-19 crisis. “Malaking bahagi po ng ating ekonomiya ‘yung MSMEs eh. Habang tumatagal ang COVID-19 situation sa bansa, kailangan din po suportahan ng ating gobyerno ang kanilang kapakanan para buhayin po ang maliliit na negosyo at maiahon ang mga empleyado nila mula sa krisis na ito,’’ Go said. (As the COVID-19 situation persists in the country, the government needs to support the welfare of the MSMEs, which comprise a big part of our economy, so it could also help their employees during this crisis.) In a radio interview, Go said that he is grateful for the quick response of the Department of Finance (DOF) when he, together with other sectors, started the appeal for such subsidy to further help more Filipinos in need during this crisis. “Ngayong aprubado na po ang panukala ng Department of Finance para sa mga Small Business Wage Subsidy, siguraduhin natin na lahat ng mga Pilipino na apektado na matutulungan sa abot na ating makakaya at mapangalagaan natin ang ekonomiya kahit nasa gitna ng krisis,’’ he said. (Now that the proposal of the Department of Finance for the Small Business Wage Subsidy has been approved, we will ensure that all affected Filipinos will get assistance to the best of our capability and also protect the economy while we are in the middle of this crisis.) During the course of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and a nationwide state of public health emergency, a number of MSMEs have been forced to stop their operations or temporarily close their businesses. The SBWS program aims to provide subsidies to affected MSME employees who will qualify given the conditions set in the guidelines. The senator from Davao said that according to DOF, starting May 1, those who have already applied and are qualified for the SBWS program would start receiving the financial assistance. According to the subsidy program, the government, through the Social Security System (SSS), shall provide a wage subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 per month, depending on the regional minimum wage, for every eligible employee. This subsidy shall be given for up to two months unless the ECQ is lifted earlier.