Senator Bam Aquino said concerned government agencies should also help small businesses in Boracay as they are also will be affected by the administration’s six-month closure order on the island.

“Huwag nating kalimutan ang mga maliliit na negosyante, mga vendor at sumiside-line na tatamaan din sa pagsasara ng Boracay. Tumataas na nga ang presyo ng bilihin, mawawalan pa sila ng kita at kabuhayan,” said Sen. Bam. 

“Kailangan ng malinaw na plano at programa para sa mga maliliit na negosyo, tulad ng mga nagbebenta ng chori burger at naghehenna. Siguraduhin dapat ng gobyerno na may sapat na kita at kabuhayan pa rin ang ating mga kababayan sa Boracay ,” added Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam said Negosyo Centers in Aklan and other nearby areas play an important role in keeping micro and small enterprises in the area afloat by connecting them to other markets and provide them with alternative livelihood. 

“Maaaring iugnay ng Negosyo Centers ang mga maliliit na negosyante sa iba’t ibang merkado habang naghihintay na bumalik sa normal ang operasyon ng Boracay,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and author of Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act.

The law was the first of 19 laws passed by Sen. Bam. 

Passed during Sen. Bam’s term as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress, the Go Negosyo Act mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. 

Negosyo Centers provide access to markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business.

As of latest tally, there are more than 800 Negosyo Centers in different parts of the country, including around 10 in Aklan, ready to cater to the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).