SSFs back on track, gov’t assistance continues
Notwithstanding the impact of the pandemic on business activities, the DTI continues to monitor the operation and extend assistance needed by shared service facilities (SSF) cooperators throughout the country. According to the report conducted by the DTI Bureau of SME Development (BSMED), most of the SSFs were affected by the pandemic but restarted to full and/or partial operations as of September 2020. Fifty percent of the SSFs surveyed experienced shutdown from March to April while others were partially operating during weekdays. Most of the affected SSFs belong to the industry clusters on processed food, coffee, bamboo, coco coir, cacao and gifts, decors and housewares. SSFs who were yet to start on September 2020 were still coping with their compliance with the health and safety protocols by the government, likewise, the restrictions imposed in their areas, decline in demand, disruption in supply chains, and cashflow concerns. With this, the SSF cooperators have identified t...