DTI to set up assistance centers in areas hit by Yolanda

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is planning to put up business assistance centers and shared service facilities (SSF) in areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

“Right now, what we are looking at for Yolanda affected areas is to set up business assistance centers. We are talking with mayors to find out where MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) can go to, to ask for assistance so they can get back on their feet,” Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya told reporters.

Aside from having business help desks in the areas damaged by the typhoon, she said the DTI likewise intends to provide SSFs for the use of MSMEs.

“We will provide for SSFs for coco lumber and hollow block making,” she said.

The SSF involves the setting up of common service facilities or production centers for certain processes to give MSMEs access to better technology and more sophisticated equipment.

The program is being undertaken to help MSMEs become competitive and tap a wider market.

Maglaya said the department is studying what other support can be provided to help businesses in the area.

“We are really looking at how we can help MSMEs recover from the typhoon,” she added.

To encourage companies to set-up operations in the areas damaged by the typhoon, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said earlier the government is looking at crafting a new bill that will give special treatment or duty-free entry for goods such as garments produced in Yolanda-affected areas to the US.

“We will pursue this and make consultations with US Congress to see if it’s possible. If it’s possible we will come out with a draft bill and look for sponsors in the US Congress,” he said.

Considered to be one of the world’s strongest typhoons to hit land, Yolanda, which devastated provinces in central Philippines in November last year, killed thousands of people and left many homeless.