‘Business not as usual’:Businesses gear up for June reopening

CEBU, Philippines — “Business not as usual” this is the warning made by the business sector, as businesses in Metro Cebu are now preparing for reopening hopefully by June 1, 2020.

The Cebu business community, led by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), together with Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Philippine Retailers Association Cebu Chapter, Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Mactan Economic and Processing Zone Chamber of Exporters and Manufacturers (MEPZCEM),  made the commitment yesterday to reopen businesses with careful adherence of health protocols set by the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the multi-sectoral initiated Project Balik Buhay (PBB).

“Let’s go back to business” said CCCI president Felix Taguiam in an online press conference held yesterday.

However, going back to business is not anymore “business as usual”, Taguiam said as “new normal” means business-as-not-usual.

While most industries have two weeks to prepare their offices for the not-as-usual-set up, meaning installing stringent measures of physical distancing, among others, there are business, which are yet to prepare for reopening in the next two weeks.

Tourism-related businesses, restaurants, mass public transport like jeepneys are among the hard hit businesses that are about to push restart or may even remain closed.

Businessman, and chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) Kenneth Cobonpue assures that as jeepneys are not yet allowed to serve commuters, around 200 buses will be deployed by June 1. Specific routes shall be determined in the coming days.

MCCI president Steven Yu said strict health protocols will be the order of the day in this new normal era, especially for businesses that constantly deal with people physically.

Meanwhile, the business sector still has to determine what types of businesses are ready to reopen by June 1. High-risk businesses may find it difficult to comply with DOH and DTI rules of conducting businesses under the COVID-19 threat, said CCCI past president Virgilio Espeleta.

Philippine Retailers Association Cebu Chapter president Chester Lim likewise assured that retail businesses that will be opening in June are preparing to comply with the government guidelines.

The month of June marks the celebration of Cebu Business Month, organized by CCCI, which planned activities are also re-designed and altered, some events will be held via online conferencing or virtual set-up.