Businessmen seek more support from all sources

TACLOBAN CITY , Philippines   â€” The Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCCI) in this city has been optimistic of economic recovery, if only the national and international governments agencies extend their support for it.

Councilor Jerry Uy, legal counsel for FCCCI-Tacloban Chapter, has called for the waiving of government bureaucratic requirements to speed up rehabilitation efforts in this city that was devastated by Yolanda on Nov. 8.

Aside from damaged infrastructure, school buildings, hospitals, roads and bridges and agriculture, about 95 percent of business establishments in the city incurred heavy destruction resulting in sluggish maneuvering for an economic turnaround.

"This needs government intervention by identifying which areas of concern are the top priorities. In our city, our three- to five-year forecast for economic revival will depend solely on government intervention," Uy said.

He suggested that the government should have a rapid assessment on the extent of damage in the entire city and should have a checklist of what and where are the areas prioritized for rehabilitation.

The city government as well should adopt partners like non-government organizations that will directly implement the project in a specific area that was worst-hit by Yolanda.    

Tacloban comprises of 139 barangays with about 200,000 population. The coastal districts—Rawis,Anibong Pampango, Magallanes, Sagkahan and San Jose — were the heavily ravaged areas of Yolanda, said Uy.

On trade and commerce in the city, the councilor said some businessmen became insolvent and may not recover in due time or could no longer put up their business back as before.

Uy said that 40 days after Yolanda, business owners have just started the clearing of debris inside their establishments; while others have to wait for insurance adjustments that will enable them to acquire capital to start anew.

By early January next year, many business establishments are expected to reopen, although some of  them have already operated now with a skeletal manpower, under work shifting, for them to serve the public, said Uy.

"As of  now we couldn't give the exact figure of  the damaged caused by the typhoon but I am sure it will hit billions of pesos in commercial industry alone. Commodities in major establishments in downtown Tacloban were either looted or damaged," he said.

On massive looting, Uy understood that such behavior of  the people may not be avoided after the devastation. "Anyone could do that to avoid starvation knowing that the people have no access of information on when the government could extend help to them. Remember Tacloban and nearby towns were isolated at the time, with no communication, no water supply and electricity. Tey have to stock up as much as possible for survival," Uy added. (FREEMAN)