By THEPHILBIZNEWS
With the ECQ in place that inevitably disrupted many businesses particularly in the MSMEs sector, the Department of Science and Technology conducted an online nationwide survey to determine the situation of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the midst the CoVID-19 pandemic.
The survey was initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in collaboration with the Office of the Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano and the 16 DOST Regional Offices.
With the survey conducted, they were able to collect data that guided the DOST in formulating ECQ-adaptive policies/measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, especially the imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that affected their businesses.
A total of 2,318 firms assisted under the Department’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) participated in the survey; providing data that may be used to create industry-specific solutions that are tailor-fit to address the needs of every affected business.
Out of the total firms that responded to the survey, 1,594 or 68.8% said that they have temporarily ceased operations due to the nationwide ECQ. Of the remaining 724 firms that sustained their operations during the ECQ, 413 or 57% earned less than ₱50,000 during the ECQ, way below during normal operation. Only businesses that provided “basic commodities and services” were the ones allowed to operate during the ECQ.
Initially, the DOST allowed a 2-month (March to April 2020) rental deferment to all SETUP proponents due to the implementation of the ECQ. However, since the survey yielded results showing how distressed most of the MSMEs are during this crisis, the Department issued an additional 3-month moratorium on SETUP refund payments, thus extending the moratorium up to July 2020.
“This moratorium is our way of helping our MSMEs to survive this crisis. Most of them have already incurred losses and it is just right that we do not add to the burden they are already carrying,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña.
If you are a SETUP proponent and would like to communicate your business concerns to the DOST, please send your inquiries through email at dostros2016@gmail.com or contact the nearest DOST office in your region.