Iloilo City businesses ‘thriving’ amid COVID-19 pandemic

Majority of businesses in Iloilo City managed to survive and “thrive” amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Norman Tabud, head of the city government’s Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), there is no significant drop in the number of businesses operating in the metropolis.

“Happy kita nga ipabalo nga despite sang pandemic nagapakita nga ang mga negosyo sa syudad are still thriving. Nagapaninguha gid except those nga restricted gid nga mga negosyo, they cannot operate until now,” he told IMT Conversations host Rhod Tecson.

In fact, Tabud said many new businesses applied for business permits.

“While damu nagaretire tungod indi na relevant ang ila negosyo sa tiempo sang pandemic, damo man ang nag-apply nga new businesses nga nakita nila nga makasabat sa mga kinahanglanon sang mga pumuluyo,” he shared.

Tabud noted that their office released around 15,000 business permits this year, almost similar compared to last year’s figure.

“We were able to maintain which is good, nga despite sang restrictions sang COVID-19 pandemic, sa gihapon ang mga negosyo ta nagapaninguha,” he said.

The BPLO chief is hopeful that next year will be “brighter year” for the city.

“Very hopeful kita. Mayor Jerry Trenas is very hopeful nga ang 2022 will be brighter, that we would be slowly going back to the normal especially ang businesses sa syudad,” said Tabud.IMT

Photo of Calle Real by Paco Guerrero