UNITEAM senatorial candidate Harry Roque would like to strengthen cooperatives nationwide and help small business owners cope with heavy losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kasi ako po nagkaroon ako ng karanasan sa koopertiba. Noong ako po ay estudyante, tumira po ako sa isang student housing na kooperatiba. Nagluto po ako para sa mga tao. Eto po ay patunay na kapag po nagtulungan eh mas makakaangat po tayo sa ating hanapbuhay,” Roque said.

Roque said that cooperatives provide help for small business owners. If elected, he said he would also like to craft laws to give funds to small business owners as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the drivers of the economy.

He also said he would push for the establishment of an agency to assure the welfare of (MSMEs).

“Nais kong bigyan ng pondo ang mga microfinance kasi ‘yung mga maliliit na na negosyante, nagbebenta ng barbeque, nagbebenta ng kung ano-ano sila ngayon po talaga ang nagpapatakbo ng ating negosyo, ng ating ekonomiya,” he said.

“Kinakailangan siguro na magtayo na tayo ng isang ahensiya na talagang magbibigay ng pondo sa mga microfinance at ‘yung mga programa na nagbibigay ayuda ngayon sa mga mamamayan for instance yung TUPAD,” he also said.

He pushed for a law that would institutionalize the TUPAD program.

TUPAD or “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced” workers is a community-based package of assistance implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The program provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work.

“Maghahain po tayo ng panukalang batas na gagawin po nating batas ang TUPAD nang hindi na po matanggal ‘yan gaya ng 4P’s,” Roque said.

“Lahat po ng nagbibigay tulong sa mga nawalan ng trabaho dapat isabatas na po natin ‘yan,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco