PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Magandang tanghali, Malacañang Press Corps, at welcome sa ating Press Briefing ngayon araw, October 25.

Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang Situation Briefing kasama ang iba’t ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan para pag-usapan ang mga aksiyon ng pamahalaan para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga nasalanta ng Bagyong Kristine.

Para sa mga detalye tungkol sa pagbabantay ng presyo ng bilihin ngayong may kalamidad, kasama natin ngayon si Department of Trade and Industry Acting Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque. Good afternoon, Secretary Roque.

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Good afternoon sa inyong lahat. Thank you for having me here.

In behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry, we’d like to acknowledge that there’s—marami tayong nasalanta sa bagyo ngayon and we are really on top of the situation. Ang unang-una is, there is a 60-day price freeze on all the basic commodities that we have listed in our memo ‘no. And, aside from this, this is also strictly monitored – meaning, tsini-check namin ito aggressively. Meaning, on a day-to-day basis nagbibigay sila ng update sa amin sa mga supermarkets, grocery, convenient stores and other areas or other stores na nagbibenta ng mga basic necessities na ito. So, this must be strictly followed. So, there’s a 60-day price freeze for the basic necessities that are covered by the areas na kasama sa nasalanta ng bagyo. And rest assured that the DTI is really on top of the situation.

Another thing is that we are also aggressively coordinating with the supermarkets, convenient stores, small and big groceries, markets to make sure that there’s a constant supply of food and constant supply of basic necessities that are needed by the people, iyong nandoon sa mga probinsiya or mga towns na nasalanta ng bagyo. So, we are on top of this.

Another thing also na, you know, that we would like to strictly enforce is also iyong mga tao or mga negosyante that are taking advantage of the situation, kasi siyempre kapag may bagyo, alam ng mga negosyante, iyong mga ibang negosyante na puwede silang let’s say take advantage ng situation. So, the Department of Trade and Industry is on top of this also. So, we are aggressively price monitoring. We are also aggressively checking na lahat ng mga presyo ay tamang presyo para sa mga consumers natin especially those na nasalanta badly by the bagyo.

Another thing that I would like to say ‘no, is also… after this, kapag may bagyong ganito ‘no, may mga negosyo na natatamaan. Definitely, a lot of businesses are destroyed; a lot of businesses are affected. So, what will we do after? Sometimes we always think of what happens during the situation but after is also a very important situation that we must look at – which is how do the negosyos be able to move on.

So, si SB Corp is an attached agency under the DTI. Ang Small Business Corporation ay isang bangko na nasa ilalim ng DTI. We have now a two-billion fund for the enterprise rehabilitation financing. So, ang gagawin lang nila, they can email SB Corporation through their email address – sbcorp.gov.ph – and puwede na kayong mag-avail doon. And you will also know kung paano ang mechanics dito.

So, we have allotted two billion pesos for this rehabilitation ng enterprises. So, ang mechanics nito, for the first year – zero percent interest for the first year; for the second year, one percent per month. And kahit walang principal payment, basta nasalanta ng bagyo, they can avail of this fund. So, iyong mga negosyo na naapektuhan o mga negosyante na nag-aalala, please avail of this fund. Punta lang kayo sa sbcorp.gov.ph para maka-register na kayo.

And, another thing, you can also email the [email protected] so you can report also doon iyong mga hindi sumusunod sa price freeze na sinet [set] at saka kung may mga updates na gusto ninyong ipadala sa DTI, you may also email to this [email protected].

Another thing, you may also send to my office directly – [email protected] – so that puwede namin kayong ma-assist as best as we can. The DTI is here to be able to assist lahat ng nasalanta because we really assist, kahit hindi nasalanta. But for now, ang talagang naka-focus kami for this is really mga nasalanta ng bagyo.

So, again, there is a 60-day price freeze on all the basic commodities and this will be strictly enforced and mayroon talaga kaming taka-check. Aside from that, we are also checking iyong mga nagti-take advantage sa situation, so aggressive kaming nagtsi-check dito, iyong mga nagpu-profiteer, hindi puwede ito.

And, of course, the last is also how to move forward which is through the funding of SB Corp which is the Enterprise Rehabilitation Program which we have allotted two billion pesos for this. So, let’s take advantage of this para at least makausad tayo. Kasi, we cannot only look at also iyong mga… of course, this situation is not a good situation but we can always move forward and achieve better heights if we just take advantage of the programs and mga… iyong possibilities na binibigay sa atin ng ating gobyerno under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and ang Bagong Pilipinas.

PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Thank you very much, Sec. Roque. We are now opening the floor for questions. Chona Yu, from People’s Journal.

CHONA YU/PEOPLE’S JOURNAL: Ma’am, what’s the maximum amount ang puwedeng i-avail ng isang apektadong negosyante?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Yes. They can avail up to 300,000 pesos per person.

CHONA YU/PEOPLE’S JOURNAL: And how about, ma’am, iyong mga requirements? Anong mga kailangan nilang requirements/qualifications para makapag-avail nitong…?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Yes. Actually, ang mga requirements dito, now that SB Corp is really… we’re really aggressively loaning out money whether nasalanta or hindi nasalanta especially to the small and medium enterprise, we make the requirements not difficult. Actually, wala na itong mga collateral eh, you just have to prove that you have a business that’s ongoing. And, for this time ‘no, this time you’re part of the region or you’re part of the town na nasalanta ng bagyo.

PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Thank you, ma’am. Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Hi, ma’am. So far, how many areas have been declared under state of calamity so, therefore, they are mandated to implement the price freeze?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: I didn’t get the exact areas yet because they keep on… nadadagdagan ‘no. But, I can give it. Wait, I’ll have it checked now and then we can give it out. But the areas na may state of calamity, kasama ito sa funding ng SB Corp, kasama din sa 60-day price freeze and kasama din siya sa aggressive monitoring of prices.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Just to clarify, ma’am, iyong declaration ng state of calamity is a prerequisite for the 60-day price freeze. Tama po ba?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Yes.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: But can the government actually impose on its own lalo na kung malawakan po iyong damage doon sa area? Like for example for Bicol, can the DTI impose on its own price freeze kahit po hindi pa nag-declare ng state of calamity?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Ah, yes. As long as apektado sila or they are also part of the region that’s affected, we will also put a 60-day price freeze.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: So, to clarify, ayusin ko lang po iyong question ko. So, how many areas ini-implement po sa ngayon iyong price freeze?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: I’ll check it lang and then I’ll get back to you.

PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Thank you. Ivan Mayrina, GMA7.

IVAN MAYRINA/GMA7: Ma’am, nabanggit ninyo po you are aggressively coordinating with supermarkets, convenient stores to ensure that they have ample supplies at hindi sila maubusan at may mabili iyong mga tao. How are we getting around the issue of lack of access or problematic access to certain areas? Nabanggit po kanina sa situation briefing, maraming hindi marating eh.

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Yes, correct. Actually, DTI is working with the different agencies or other departments of the government to be able to get the goods around. But we’ve also spoken to the large establishment, let’s say SM, Robinsons, the bigger once, they are able to get the goods out there. So far, okay naman.

IVAN MAYRINA: So far, how is the situation on ground, wala pong shortages tayong nakukuhang reports, as of now?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: We can’t say na walang shortages, but we’re aggressively putting the food and everything out especially the basic necessities, iyon ang talagang kailangan natin mailabas sa mga tao, especially in these areas.

IVAN MAYRINA: Iyong fuel price, ma’am, this is also part of the items na mino-monitor ninyo ang presyo?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: No, it’s not part of our items.

IVAN MAYRINA: Thank you.

PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Thank you. Maricel Halili, TV5.

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Another thing pala, they can go to the negosyo centers. In case they have some inquiries or they have some updates, please go to the negosyo centers of the DTI and you can inquire on the different, let’s say sa SB Corp, the different loan or where to get the products ‘no, where to get the basic necessities.

MARICEL HALILI/ TV5: Secretary, magandang hapon po.

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Magandang hapon.

MARICEL HALILI/ TV5: You mentioned earlier about profiteering, as early as now, gaano na po kadami iyong namo-monitor natin na possible na nag-profiteering following the Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, gaano po siya katalamak?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Actually, I don’t have the figures, but I’ll check it with the Fair Trade Group in our office because actually, they are so busy just monitoring all of these now ‘no. Then, I’ll publish it.

MARICEL HALILI/ TV5: Just a reminder lang po doon sa mga negosyante, ano iyong penalty kapag nahuli ng profiteering?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: There are different penalties for these, it depends on the gravity ang penalty. But again, we will ano, we will give you the information on this.

MARICEL HALILI/ TV5: I understand, ma’am, iyong tungkol sa looting, there are reports na may mga nangyayaring looting sa Bicol. I understand, nandoon naman iyong mga security forces pero on the part of DTI, ano po iyong ginagawa natin dito?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: For DTI, we’re really more on making sure that the prices are, you know, there’s a price freeze, making sure that the basic necessities are there, making sure that the people have enough food. Iyon ang scope ng DTI; maybe in other agencies, we can ask them those questions also.

MARICEL HALILI/ TV5: Salamat po.

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Thank you.

PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Thank you. Any more questions? Maricar Sargan, Brigada.

MARICAR SARGAN/BRIGADA: Ma’am, good afternoon. Follow up lang po, regarding doon sa assistance sa mga business, hanggang kailan po sila puwedeng mag-apply? And then, kung mayroon po bang qualification na para lang sa MSME or puwedeng kasama po iyong ibang malalaking mga negosyo? Thank you po.

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Actually, ang ano, is really for the MSMEs, but of course, everybody can apply. And then, if they have the complete requirements and they also passed, then there’ll be able to take a loan; basta the maximum loan is ₱300,000 pesos. Ang average na nakukuha ngayon nila, kasi iyong iba nag-a-avail na ‘no, ang average nakukuha nila is P150,000. So, just by that number, you’ll know it MSMEs that are really greatly affected by this storm.

MARICAR SARGAN/BRIGADA: Ma’am, hanggang kailan po sila puwedeng mag-apply?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: This one, I’ll check also. But for now, it’s really ongoing thing.

PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Any more questions from the media?

Last question, Chona Yu.

CHONA YU/ INQUIRER: Ma’am, would you know kung ilang MSME ang affected po at puwedeng makapag-avail, kahit ballpark figure?

DTI SEC. ROQUE: I don’t have that number now, but I’ll get back to you, we’ll publish it as soon as possible; we’re just actually getting the number also.

CHONA YU/ INQUIRER: Thank you, Ma’am.

PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Secretary Roque, you have any few words [overlapping].

DTI SEC. ROQUE: Thank you, for this press conference. Thank you for having me. And the Department of Trade and Industry remains committed in assuring the customers that the basic needs will be available and the prices will be monitored as strictly as possible or as strict as we can and we will really go after those that are profiteering from this calamity.

So again, we really will do everything we can to be able to make the businesses, especially the MSMEs bounce back from this.

So, you may always come to us in the Department of Trade and Industry through the different—you can e-mail us, you can call us, or you can go to the different negosyo centers to avail of the different programs that’s given by the Department of Trade and Industry, whether there’s a calamity or not.

But now, for this calamity, we are aggressively pursuing the three that I mentioned a while ago. Thank you.

PCO ASEC. DE VERA: Thank you very much, Secretary Cristina Roque. That ends our press briefing for today, magandang hapon Malacañang Press Corp.

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