TAKING cognizance of the adverse effects of the pandemic on Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) passed an ordinance on November 29 condoning the interests on the unpaid loans granted by the provincial government under the Provincial Livelihood Assistance Program (PLAP).

The ordinance, sponsored by Sixth District Board Member Salvador Perez Jr., chairman of the SP committee on cooperative, small business and entrepreneurship development, said the COVID-19 pandemic that started to spread in 2020 had a negative impact on the capacities of program beneficiaries of PLAP to sustain, grow, and expand their livelihood projects, that resulted in the decline in production and sales that ultimately led to the reduction of incomes of families.

Perez said the adverse effect of the pandemic continued in 2021 when COVID-19 reached its peak in August and September at an average of nearly 400 new cases a day with a record high of 878 cases recorded on September 13.

PLAP was designed by the provincial government to help generate more livelihood and economic opportunities for members of the marginal sector in Pangasinan.

In calling for the condonation on interests of loans under PLAP, Perez cited the Local Government Code that empowered the SP to enact ordinances levying taxes, fees and charges, prescribing the rates thereof for general specific purposes, and granting tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs. (Leonardo Micua)