The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should create a small loan program for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with no interest rate, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa raised this during the confirmation hearing of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, saying this would help Filipinos boost their livelihood instead of relying on state aid or “ayuda.”
Doing this, the senator said, would lessen the culture of mendicancy prevailing in the country.
“Siguro kung ako ang maging secretary ng DTI, tutukan ko ‘yon. Maghanap ako ng programa na makatulong yung gano’ng paninda araw-araw kasi you can just imagine 5-6, uutang ka ng P5, at the end of the day bayaran mo ng P6 (Maybe if I become the secretary of the DTI, I will focus on that. I will find a program that will help those goods every day because you can just imagine 5-6, you will owe P5, and at the end of the day pay P6),” Dela Rosa said.
“Baka kayo, gagawa ka ng programa na ‘yan, pondohan natin dito sa Kongreso na makabigay ka kahit 5-5, walang interes, tapos mag-deploy ka ng mga nakamotor na mga tauhan mo, iikot doon sa mga palengke, magpapautang...para sa maliliit na negosyante, napakalaking bagay ‘yan kung walang interes (Maybe you can create that program, we will fund it here in Congress so that you can give at least 5-5, no interest, then you will deploy your motorized personnel, go around the markets, give loans.. .for small businessmen, that's a big deal if there's no interest),” he suggested.
Dela Rosa said he has been supporting programs and measures, aimed not only on improving security and public order, but also measures that would improve the welfare of ordinary Filipinos.
“I am urging you to do that kung mabigyan mo ng pansin (give attention to this). Maliliit lang ‘yan pero masaya ‘yang mga tao na ‘yan ‘pag matulungan natin (It’s only a small matter but many people will benefit),” he added.
Among the measures that Dela Rosa is supporting include the bill seeking to increase the daily minimum wage by P100 and the bill providing direct financial assistance to Filipino farmers.
Dela Rosa was also among the senators who voted for the passage of the newly-enacted law protecting the welfare of caregivers as well as the law institutionalizing the teaching supplies allowance for public school teachers.