TACLOBAN CITY – A Business Recovery Center(BRC), a centralized resource and interactive service center that will assist entrepreneurs in the whole life cycle of businesses including recovery, which will be piloted in Leyte, was recently unveiled by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The program, which is under DILG’s Canada-funded Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED), was launched during 40th Philippine Business Conference and Expo. The launch of a business center came about after the private and business sector in Leyte revealed that lack of information and accessible resources is causing them to be wary of investing again and rehabilitating their businesses.
A lack of information on how to get back up again, what services are available for local businesses, and where best to start in an locality and industry devastated by a super typhoon were likewise noted.
The BRC would provide a variety of services for MSMEs which includes but is not limited to: basic support services, training and consultancy for livelihood and MSMEs; investment promotion and business-matching to expand trade in tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, among others; and, support to workforce development making sure there is enough qualified manpower both for MSMEs and reconstruction activities in the area.
Considering the nature of the BRC as a centralized database of local businesses and economy, it will also serve as a platform for all services and projects of national government agencies, private sector, and development partners to coordinate, promote, and monitor common goals. PCCI’s Regional Office in Tacloban City will house the BRC physical contact space. This will be called the ‘Eastern Visayas BRC’ and will serve as a hub for a network of BRCs in the region. The first satellite BRC will be established in Ormoc City, as part of LGSP-LED’s work in developing the Northwest Leyte Tourism Corridor as a tourism destination. Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, who was represented by former Vice Gov. Nestor Villasin, thanked DILG and Canada for helping the people of Leyte and the victims of Yolanda.
In 2012, DILG started the LGSP-LED in Leyte to develop the tourism sector along the North West Leyte Tourism Corridor in order to attract investments and create jobs in the said locality. (AHLETTE C. REYES)
