BAGUIO CITY, July 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry has implemented various programs as support to the Cordillerans during the declaration of National Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a virtual message delivered during the Investments Opportunities Forum for MSMEs in the Cordillera on Wednesday, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez outlined the different programs and interventions undertaken by the DTI that benefitted Cordillerans since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in March.

Lopez said that in keeping with the regulatory functions of the DTI, consumer protection units in the region were directed to immediately enforce the price freeze for the first 60 days of the implementation of the ECQ and monitoring activities were conducted duly to ensure prices remain reasonable.

A total of 178 rolling stores were implemented in Baguio City, Benguet, Abra and Ifugao. From March 24 to June 30, the Rolling Stores were able to help 96, 656 households in more than 300 barangays across the region, he said.

The Rolling Stores bring basic necessities and essential products closer and accessible to far-flung barangays and spare the constituents the burden of having to travel to the central business district for their needs.

This project is a public-private partnership at its best with local government units, DTI, Department of Agriculture and partner retailers and groceries in the localities. Until today the rolling stores are still being rolled out to the different LGUs in the region.

To provide some relief for businesses, Lopez said the DTI expedited the release of the livelihood kits under two programs - the Pangkabuhayan para sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa and the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay Livelihood Program.

At least 644 beneficiaries from barangays severely affected by disaster or communist armed conflict received tools, goods and other items to start their businesses.

Under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program, DTI provides financial assistance of P10, 000 and educational materials after profiling and giving negosyo training to existing micro entrepreneurs. The Livelihood Seeding Program - Negosyo Serbisyo Sa Barangay, on the other hand, is a program that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people through partnerships between relevant local government units and DTI.

For business adversely affected by the pandemic, the DTI thru the Small business Corporation launched the Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) program to micro and small enterprises.

Lopez said the program is DTI's way of supporting enterprises affected by the pandemic to mitigate losses and get their businesses back on their feet. SBC is reviewing 1,105 applications from CAR with a total loan of P2.84 million for 37 beneficiaries which have been released and approved as of July 3, 2020.

Last year, DTI provided assistance to 80,160 MSEs in CAR that generated 25,801 jobs as well.

He added the DTI's efforts to encourage more responsible and ethical business has increased the number of BAGWIS awardees in CAR which now stands at 232 establishments this year. The Bagwis Award is given to establishments that uphold the rights of consumers and practice responsible business where consumers get the best value for their money.

With the different programs and intervention the DTI has provided, Lopez vowed continued commitment to help achieve the socio economic development goals of the Cordillera region which is very important as the nation creates a better normal in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)