Bong Go on MSMEs: 'Malaking bahagi ng ating ekonomiya', echoes support for implementation of Small Business Wage Subsidy program

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go emphasized the crucial role of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country's economy as the government approved the Department of Finance's proposed Small Business Wage Subsidy program that would provide assistance to affected employees of MSMEs amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.

"Malaking bahagi po ng ating ekonomiya 'yung MSMEs eh. Habang tumatagal ang COVID 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.

In a radio interview over DZRH on Monday, April 20, Go said that he is grateful for the quick response of the finance department 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," Go said.

"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating Finance Department headed by Secretary Carlos Dominguez III dahil dininig nila ang ating mga apela. Ako naman po, bilang mambabatas at dati nilang kasamahan sa gobyerno, ay apela lang itong akin kung maaring magawan nila ito ng paraan sa lalong madaling panahon," he added.

During the course of the enhanced community quarantine 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.

"Maglalaan na po sila (DOF) ng P51 billion para dito sa small business wage subsidy program at aprubado na po ito ni Presidente Duterte," Go highlighted.

The Senator also added that according to DOF, starting May 1, those who have already applied and are qualified for the SBWS program will start receiving the financial assistance.

According to the subsidy program, the government, through the Social Security System, 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.

"Siguraduhin natin na lahat ng Pilipinong apektado ay matutulungan sa abot ng makakaya at mapangalagaan natin ang ating ekonomiya kahit nasa gitna tayo ng krisis. Tulungan nating buhayin ang kanilang negosyo dahil sila rin po ang bubuhay sa ating ekonomiya lalong-lalo na po kapag natapos na ang krisis na ito," Go said.