STIMULUS PACKAGE. The city government of Cebu is eyeing for a strategic plan to revive the economy amid the Covid-19 crisis. Mayor Edgardo Labella, in his State of the City Address (SOCA) on Tuesday (July 21, 2020), said the Cebu City Hall is working on a stimulus package that will help small businesses cope with the negative effect of the pandemic on the local economy. (PNA file photo courtesy of Alfredo "Jun" Nagac)
CEBU CITY – The city government of Cebu is looking into “strategic programs” to revive the local economy amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis with a stimulus package now eyed for small businesses.
During his first State of the City Address (SOCA) aired online on Wednesday, Mayor Edgardo Labella said the city government will be working on the stimulus aid, without citing a figure, to create jobs and help small businesses which “are the backbone of our economy.”
“We are now in the process of formulating strategic programs to turn the economy around and address critical concerns,” he said.
Labella said his administration’s focus is now on the jobs and entrepreneurship, educational support, health, nutrition and sanitation.
Many workers have lost their jobs and businesses have closed shop due to the months-long community quarantine.
“As we move forward, we bank on important programs that tackle health programs in the new normal, boosting the economy and grassroots program,” he said.
The city government is set to establish entrepreneurial mentoring and upskilling for displaced workers and set up the creative city to attract investors and generate jobs in collaboration with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
“During this pandemic, we have been in constant consultation with the business community, especially with CCCI, to ensure that business operations continue especially on essential goods and the free flow of goods and workers,” Labella said.
This collaboration with the private sector and the neighboring cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu allowed Cebu City “to strategize on rapid mass testing in three cities and the gradual reopening of businesses,” he added.
He said they have also improved the ease of doing business here by implementing a one-day processing of business permits and extending the validity of business permits to two years.
Building permits issued by the Office of the Building Official can also now be issued in three to four days.
Labella assured a good relationship with the business sector with the creation of the Cebu Investment Development Concierge Center that focuses on research, development and promotions, concierge, and inclusive growth.
“Several other exciting collaborative projects with the CCCI have been approved in principle but have unfortunately been temporarily sidelined due to this pandemic,” he said. (PNA)
