TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, July 3 (PIA) – The local government units in the region were urged to come up with an ordinance patronizing locally made products in the procurement activities of the government.
Called “Buy Local Ordinance” (BLO), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Lea Ocampo said the passage of the said ordinance will benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) particularly those involved in manufacturing and processing.
There were already 15 LGUs/cities which passed similar ordinance namely Santiago City; San Mariano, Angadanan, Cabatuan and San Manuel in the province of Isabela; Claveria, Solana, Aparri and Gattaran in Cagayan; Saguday, Maddela and Aglipay in Quirino; Mahatao in Batanes; and Sta. Fe in Nueva Vizcaya.
The director said 33 other LGUs are on-process to pass similar ordinance.
She said the BLO provides for the formulation of a Local Entrepreneurship Development Plan and the creation of a MSME Development Team which is mandated to prepare the rules and guidelines in implementing the provisions of the ordinance.
Programs, projects and activities that are to be given priority under the ordinance include collateral–free microfinancing for MSMEs, product development, capacitation through skills and entrepreneurship training, mentoring and coaching, development of consolidators to act as big brothers to MSMEs, and the establishment of Pasalubong Centers that will serve as the marketing venue for quality locally made products.
The approval of the ordinance, she said, will mean more MSMEs to be developed and assisted using convergence approach wherein different local and national government agencies pool together their resources towards providing holistic assistance to MSMEs in the region.
As provided under Sec. 4 of Republic Act 9501 or the Magna Carta for MSMEs, eligible MSMEs shall be entitled to a share of at least 10 percent of total procurement value of goods and services supplied to the government, its bureaus, offices and agencies annually and this served as the basis in crafting the ordinance. (MDCT/GVB/PIA 2-Cagayan)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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