CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, June 3 (PIA) -- The Pampanga Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (PSMEDC) is eyeing to create a technical working group (TWG) to help businesses during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) President Rene Romero, who suggested the idea, said the primary task of the TWG is to address the concerns of small businesses as they resume their operation under the General Community Quarantine.

"One of the challenges we face under this new normal is confusion in terms of policies. What we aim is that through this TWG, we will be able to come up with a clearer guidelines from the provincial government and the private entities," Romero said.

The idea, he said, is to solicit the support of the provincial government through enactment of an ordinance that will prevent private entities from laying off employees and assist them in wage subsidy and other means to revive the economy.

"We want to prevent the loss of jobs. When people work, they earn, they have the purchasing power. If people have that purchasing power, they will avail our goods and services. This will fast track the revival of our local economy," the PamCham president said.

The TWG will be responsible for consolidating data like how many workers are affected because of the pandemic. They will also be the ones to draft a proposal to be submitted to the provincial government.

The TWG will be chaired by the PSMEDC. Members will include the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Provincial Cooperative and Economic Development Office, Public Employment Service Office, Provincial Board, and the different chambers of commerce and industry in the province. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)