ILOILO CITY, July 6 (PIA) -- The Iloilo City government is working on jumpstarting its local economy amid the pandemic due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In an interview over Laging Handa Public Briefing program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said that it is time to revive the economy to reduce the number of closing businesses and people losing their jobs.
“I believe the virus will stay with us for some time and there will always be time when people would be positive. We only have to live with this. We have certain protocols. Otherwise, if we cannot revive the economy, the effects would be disastrous,” he said.
Treñas said that Iloilo City is one of the few cities in the Philippines that rely from 58 percent of its local income.
“If we do not revive our economy, we see a very bleak future especially for next year,” he said.
He said that he has already met with the different sectors in Iloilo City and informing them that the city would have to “move on”, while following certain protocols.
“We cannot remain in this state forever. Otherwise, more people will be losing their jobs, more businesses will be closing, and when that time comes, it will be difficult to jumpstart the economy again,” Treñas said.
He added that he will be visiting different malls and establishments in Iloilo City this week to ensure that they are following health protocols. (JSC/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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