The Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program for Marginalized, Small Farmers and Fishers is a zero percent interest (0%) rate loan assistance amounting to Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 25,000) to be given to eligible borrowers affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine, to be validated by Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Offices and Local Government Units (LGUs). This is one of the social amelioration programs (see List of Social Amelioration Programs), per Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, designed to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis during the Enhanced Community Quarantine, pursuant to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) and its Implementing Directives.
Continue readingCOVID 19 Pondo Para sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso Enterprise Rehabilitation Fund (P3-ERF)
The COVID 19 Pondo Para sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso Enterprise Rehabilitation Fund (P3-ERF) is a One Billion Peso (PhP1,000,000,000) special financing program by the Small Business Corporation of the Department of Trade in Industry (DTI) for MSMEs affected by COVID-19. This is part of the social amelioration programs (see list of Social Amelioration Programs) designed to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), pursuant to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) and its Implementing Directives.
Continue readingRecovery Package for Micro and Small Enterprises Engaged in Agriculture and Fisheries Food Production, and other Supply Chain Activities
The government has rolled out a number of social amelioration programs in order to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), pursuant to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) and its Implementing Directives. Among the social amelioration programs (see List of Social Amelioration Programs) provided in Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 is the Recovery Package for Micro and Small Enterprises Engaged in Agriculture and Fisheries Food Production, and other Supply Chain Activities in Accordance with the Agripreneurship Development Fund/Program of the ACPC.
Continue readingMoratorium on Loan Payments of Small Business Corporation Borrowers under Community Quarantine
The Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso (P3) is a financing program established by Small Business Corporation for micro enterprises with an asset not exceeding Three Million Pesos (PhP 3,000,000.00) at not more than 2.5 percent per month all-in interest rate and service charges. One of the social amelioration programs (see List of Social Amelioration Programs) is the moratorium on loan payments of Small Business Corporation borrowers. This is contained in Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, issued pursuant to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) and its Implementing Directives, designed to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Continue readingExpanded and Enhanced Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during the COVID-19 Community Quarantine
The social amelioration programs of the government (see List of Social Amelioration Programs) are consolidated under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, issued pursuant to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) and its Implementing Directives. These programs are designed to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis during the Community Quarantine.
Continue readingPrice Freeze During COVID-19 Emergency: Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-01
[In a Joint Memorandum Circular, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Health (DOH) reiterated the automatic price freeze of basic necessities from 16 March 2020 until 15 May 2020, unless sooner lifted by the President, as well as the intensification of monitoring and enforcement to prevent and control overpricing/profiteering, hoarding and cartel. Here is the full text of Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-01.]
Continue readingPrimer on the Philippine I.D. System (PhilSys)
The distribution of social amelioration programs would have been quicker if the rollout of the national identification (ID) system was completed, some commentators say. The national ID system was established under a 2018 law, Republic Act No. 11055 (also known as the “Philippine Identification System Act“). This is a primer of R.A. 11055.
Continue readingBouncing Checks, Grace Periods and the Enhanced Community Quarantine
Post-dated checks or PDCs are usually issued to cover future payments in various transactions. PDCs are used for loan and rental payments for residential and commercial units. PDCs are also used for payments in supply agreements and non-loan commercial transactions. Now that the government has imposed a 30-day grace period (see extension of quarantine), what happens to PDCs and the accompanying risk of being charged under the Bouncing Checks Law (Batas Pambasa Blg. 22)?
Continue readingMaterial Information: Concept / Treatment under the Securities Regulation Code of the Philippines
A material fact or information, as defined in the 2015 SRC Rules, refers to any fact or information that may result in a change in the market price or value of any of the Issuer’s securities, or may potentially affect the investment decision of an investor. Material information shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Continue readingFake News under the Revised Penal Code: Unlawful Use of Means of Publication
Fake news is covered and penalized under two laws: (a) Republic Act No. 11469, also known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act“; and (b) Act No. 3815, also known as “The Revised Penal Code”. It is important to note that public authorities have the option to charge violators under one law or both laws, simultaneously.
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