Mundin’s Eatery, a micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) from Los Baños, Laguna, is one of the businesses that suffered great losses due to community quarantines implemented last year. The enterprise faces not only the stresses of living through a pandemic, they are also dealing with the ever changing health and safety standards, managing potential carrier customers and spending money to restructure their physical stores to be COVID-compliant, all while bringing in significantly less revenue. The sales from her eatery were not enough to fund the expenses forcing the business to shut its doors temporarily, laying off its entire employees.

For Merlita Mundin, the owner, “It is a reminder that nothing is certain especially if the enterprise is financially fragile”.

Luckily, the son of owner, visited the Negosyo Center in the municipality where he learned about the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) and COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) programs of Small Business Corporation (SBCorp). Through the loan program, she was able to buy new stocks and raw materials to restart the business. It gave her high hopes that they will be able to hurdle this pandemic’s challenges. ♦

Date of Release: 13 January 2022