Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the bedrock of the Philippine economy and are relied upon by thousands of families for livelihood and sustenance.

However, as a result of the enhanced community quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses face the prospect of months without earning any revenue.

Thus, Project Lifeline was established to provide free legal aid for MSMEs during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Do you need legal advice in protecting your business during ECQ? Ask here. If you want to know your rights and benefits of COVID-19 regulations for your business, kindly join Project Lifeline group here on UnionBank GlobalLinker.

The project aims to give MSMEs a legal helpline during ECQ so they can be informed of their rights and benefits of COVID-19 regulations designed to protect them. This is made possible in partnership with UnionBank of the Philippines, Mosveldtt Law Offices, and BounceBack PH.

Do you need legal advice in protecting your business during ECQ? Ask here. If you want to know your rights and benefits of COVID-19 regulations for your business, kindly join Project Lifeline group here on UnionBank GlobalLinker so your inquiry gets properly addressed.

With the State of Emergency resulting from COVID-19 pandemic, there is a deluge of government issuances aimed at mitigating the adverse impact of closure of MSME operations.

With the temporary closure of government offices and law firms, MSMEs are also unable to procure legal guidance to navigate these new government regulations.

While the national government is doing its best to bring its resources to bear for the benefit of small businesses, there is a gap created by legalese that needs to be addressed by the provision of legal assistance. However, there is also an opportunity as lawyers working from home are a potential untapped resource to provide legal aid and guidance to MSMEs. This is where Project Lifeline comes in.

The project aims to give MSMEs a legal helpline during ECQ so they can be informed of their rights and benefits of COVID-19 regulations designed to protect them.

At the initiative of Mosveldtt Law Offices, a pool of volunteer lawyers is made available to respond to legal queries of MSMEs. The volunteer lawyers can also provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions, provide copies of the most important government circulars and provide template forms for use of MSMEs during the ECQ and beyond.

The provision of legal aid is made possible through the assistance of UnionBank through its online platform, UnionBank GlobalLinker, which is an online networking tool for MSMEs to avail of services necessary for their businesses.

Project Lifeline is joined by BounceBack PH as well, a movement of MSME proprietors with over 21,000 members in all key cities nationwide. It will lend its network to disseminate the availability of the legal helpline and encourage MSMEs to avail of government relief programs.

Also read: The hope for MSMEs that emerges during COVID-19

With the synergy of the legal profession, private enterprise and media, the legalese gap will be bridged bringing necessary relief where it matters most saving one small business at a time.

In the Bayanihan spirit essential in this time of calamity, each small business saved counts towards the preservation of the economy. It ensures that not only we heal as one nation but we also move forward as one nation.