Arroyo gov't gives priority to MSMEs
ROXAS CITY -- The government has put micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) among its priority programs and took initiatives to support, promote and develop them as an important sector of the economy.
As envisioned by President Arroyo in her development agenda, MSMEs will help spur countryside development, encourage investments and create livelihood and jobs.
Specifically, the support is mainly found in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and come in the form of direct and indirect assistance.
During his recent weekly press briefing, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Cerge Remonde said direct assistance comes in the forms of credit access and guarantees, product development and technology intervention, training and marketing support and advocacy, among others.
Remonde said the government has provided through the SME Development Council P91.35 billion worth of loans to entrepreneurs from 2004 to 2006 under the SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth (SULONG).
The government will provide an additional of P34 billion in SULONG loans to MSMEs this year.
Some forms of marketing support provided by the government come in the form of trade fairs, both local and international.
The government has also introduced such programs as the One Town One Product (OTOP) project through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to support MSMEs with the active participation of local government units and countryside producers.
The DTI has organized SMED councils at the local level to enhance the support to MSMEs.
In Capiz, the provincial SMED council has actively participated in promoting local MSMEs with DTI and the support of the provincial government, other government agencies and the private sector.
PIA