WHILE serving the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. as executive director for two years, I was exposed to the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the city of General Santos.
Yearly, the General Santos City Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, Inc. holds the Yaman GenSan, an event that celebrates and promotes local entrepreneurs. This is usually month-long and various entrepreneurial activities are showcased like holding of trade fair, trade exhibit, youth fair consisting of culinary skills competitions by categories â college and high school students, and related activities designed to equip the youth for entrepreneurial ventures, business development and skills upgrade trainings for entrepreneurs in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, MSME Regional Congress, among others.
That said, let me bring you to a concern in my home province of Bohol. Wednesday morning, I happened to see a list of requirements for a business establishment â a restaurant â to resume operations in Panglao, Bohol. If you remember, I wrote about this in a previous column (Panglao opens to local tourists, 06/26/2020).
I was aghast with the list! It was long! The owner, a kababata of mine, said the requirements are unreasonable when compared to the requirements of Tagbilaran City.
Now, the local government unit (LGU) of Panglao may have its reasons â I am sure they have â but for a restaurant to operate in Tagbilaran City and another one to operate in Panglao, doesnât it follow that the same requirements apply. For after all, isnât it the same business?
My kababata added there are requirements that were not sought during the renewal of business permits but suddenly found their way in the list. Perhaps it is the new normal thing?
I think itâs particularly important that we help our small, micro, and medium businesses at this time. Help them get back on their feet instead of making the process difficult for them if our desire is to spur back Boholâs economic activity and enable the Boholanos to work again.
I suggest the local chief executives agree on a harmonized set of requirements that is process friendly. Let us not make the lives of entrepreneurs difficult at this time when life is already difficult.
***
I wonder. At a time of pandemic and we want to infuse positive vibes, should we give awards to politicians? This is a serious question.
If youâre still thinking about your answer. Hereâs mine. I am appalled at this insensitivity. Where people are complaining about installing barriers on motorcycles because of their seeming impracticability and incredulity in addition to the added cost at a time when people are observing belt-tightening measures, here we are awarding politicians!
Give us a break! Politicians are elected. Being elected is already an award. Thatâs why politicians celebrate their victories, donât they? They do not need another plaque of recognition.
Awarding politicians for their contribution, exemplary performance, ad infinitum is absurd! Itâs beyond me! A politician shouldnât be awarded for his service. He is elected to serve. That is the reward itself! Enough politics during this pandemic. It makes me puke.
***
For every parent, daughter, son, or family member who continues to work and serve either the government or the private sector, I commend you for your courage. I know itâs not easy to be mindful and watchful of your environment as you work while the pandemic rages on, and worse, transmitting locally now.
I know you have your fears and worries of possibly getting infected or bringing the virus home. Just continue to press on and advocate the culture of safety â comply with the health and safety protocols, get enough rest, play for mental and emotional health, exercise, and pray. Prayer beats anxiety.
Remember weâre all in this together. No one is exempted. It is the greatest equalizer.
***
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
COVID-19 local transmission is real. Weâre now confronted by it. Where before, it seemed distant, now itâs in our midst. LGUs, hopefully, with the ample time for preparations fortunately available during the hard lockdown, are ready to manage this reality. For us, letâs push the culture of safety.
***
For comments, you may reach the writer at belca.87@gmail.com. Author is on Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
