Isko Moreno assures businesses of protection

MANILA, Philippines — Economic activity in the nation’s capital will be protected by the Manila city government despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Isko Moreno said yesterday.

During a virtual meeting with officials of 170 chapters of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), Moreno stressed the importance of adapting to the “new normal,” which mandates strict compliance with public health protocols while going back to work safely.

The mayor also told the FFCCCII that he has assured his constituents that the city government’s high-impact projects will continue even in the face of the pandemic, echoing his rallying call “Tuloy ang Gobyerno.”

“I want to reach as many as possible, to help them survive this pandemic,” he said, adding that they focused on helping businesses and generating jobs.

“Your city government will not sleep… We must learn to live with COVID-19. Families, livelihoods, jobs and businesses will go down the drain if we are not going to adapt,” Moreno said.

In addition to the city government’s COVID-19 response efforts, Moreno said the Department of Finance (DOF) has granted the city government P30 billion net borrowing capacity for its high-impact projects.

He said the city government was able to break ground for the construction of public housing projects Tondominium and Binondominium, the construction of Bagong Ospital ng Maynila and the rehabilitation of Manila Zoo.

“Despite the adversity of the city before I assumed office, I am grateful to the DOF for granting us P30 billion net borrowing capacity. We will continue to spend by building long-term programs that addresses problems and generates income,” Moreno said.