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Monday, 26 May 2014
breakingNews
Editor John Alfred Kabalican
[email protected]
The truth as it happens.
Small and medium enterprises need to recover -- Nierras
From Page 1
talisation status after the super typhoon.
Credit facilities
“The big challenge for DTI
was the fast provision of
start-up kits consisting of soft
loans that micro and small
enterprises could avail if their
businesses qualified under the
pre-assessment process of the
lending institutions that government tapped to help out”,
disclosed Nierras.
These institutions included
the Landbank, Development
Bank of the Philippines, and
DTI’s Small Business Corporation.
The need to provide soft
term loans according to Nier-
ras was brought about by the
“cash basis” transactions that
local businesses had to adopt
with the loss of local credit
facilities.
Focus livelihood
Nierras however cautioned
that certain specific requirements are needed to be passed
for key investment concerns
or “focus livelihoods” and
that DTI can only recommend
application approval.
The
livelihoods are mostly food
processing micro and small
enterprises that benefit not
only the business owners but
the people employed by them.
“The lending institutions
themselves would have to
make the final determination
on each application for soft
For individually paying members
Benefit Coverage
Inpatient Coverage
PhilHealth provides subsidy for room and board, drugs
and medicines, laboratory exam, use of operating room
complex and professional fees for confinements of not
less than 24 hours.
(Please refer to the table of rate ceilings/maximum allowances for inpatient coverage.)
Outpatient Coverage
Day surgeries, dialysis and cancer treatment procedures
such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy in accredited
hospitals and free-standing clinics.
Special Benefit Packages
• Case Rates
• TB Treatment through DOTS
• SARS and Avian Influenza
• Novel Influenza A(H1N1)
Exclusions
The following shall not be covered except when, after
actuarial studies, PhilHealth recommends their inclusion
subject to approval of its Board of Directors:
• Fifth and subsequent normal obstetrical deliveries
• Non-prescription drugs and devices
• Alcohol abuse or dependency treatment
• Cosmetic surgery
• Optometric services
• Other cost-ineffective procedures as defined by PhilHealth
Immediate Livelihood. Sources of subsistence income like the making and selling of local food delicacies in Barangay
Cuatro de Agosto, Mahaplag, Leyte is one of many livelihood areas being given priority by government. (Photo by VBPNT)
financing”, said Nierras.
But what is important now
is that these facilities exist
for businesses to go to if they
need immediate financial assistance. VBP learned that,
so far, out of 64 affected municipalities almost 200 applications have been submitted,
100 of them have been project
visited by the DTI and financial institutions for assessment, and more than 50 applications have been allowed to
receive a soft loan.
The amounts vary according to the business loan approved. As of this writing, P67
million has been approved for
release, although more than
P20 million have been actually
given to loan recipients.
“The number of applications are growing by the day
as businesses try to comply
with requirements by the
lending institutions”, Nierras
said.
The best approach is for local funding to be made available, according to Nierras. In
the municipality of Tanauan
where roasted pig or lechon
is known to be delicious, the
mayor is working to revive
this industry with local funding. “Non-government organizations and some foreign
funding may be able to fill in
some gaps but local efforts are
very much needed in order for
us to achieve optimum recovery”, said Nierras.
Construction industry
Meanwhile, the local construction industry here is
beginning to move as more
building supply establishments try to resume business.
A GI sheet manufacturer has
also arrived to provide cheaper but quality roofing materials. “It is quality that we also
need to make sure for these
building materials being sold
to meet basic standards, added Nierras.
Some suppliers have also
expressed interest to set up
shop in the region so that no
vacuum will be created in the
construction supply chain
as more people try to rebuild
their homes and facilities.
Specific approaches
Each local business need
would have to be addressed
but we have to focus on those
that help as many people
as businesses can provide.
“There are other programs
DTI is implementing to support and continue our recovery”, Nierras concluded.
Micro
enterprises and small businesses like the
making of brooms, home implements, and housewares usually
employ other individuals aside from the business proprietor and
his family. The sustained and immediate development of these
enterprises in the countryside have been the continuing interest
of the government since it helps lower unemployment and creates
revenue for local governments. Providing technology and skills
training and helping find wider markets for these products is one
of DTI’s main concerns. (VBPNT)
Godofredo’s Car Care Center
Repair and maintenance of all types of vehicle models including heavy equipment.
Services offered:
Engine overhaul
Body & chassis repair
Body work and repainting
Change oil and general engine work
Electrical, mechanical & car-aircon systems repair.
We repair ‘Yolanda’ damaged vehicles.
Come and visit us at our shop at Maharlika Highway
(in front of Tacloban Ultrasteel), Tacloban City.
Contact: 0998-171-1428 or 0949-429-1868