Go to government, Pinoys: Patronize MSMEs to boost economy

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has urged the government and Filipinos to patronize micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which he said play a vital role in revitalizing communities and boosting the economy.

Go made the call after visiting Misamis Oriental on Tuesday and personally extending aid to existing and aspiring small business owners from El Salvador City and the towns of Opol, Gitagum, Libertad, Initao, Naawan, Manticao, Lugait, Laguindingan, Tagoloan, Jasaan and Claveria.

“We consider MSMEs the backbone of our economy. Filipinos are industrious and street smart. If they are given the right training and assistance, their businesses will go a long way,” he said in Filipino.

“I hope our government agencies will consider helping them because they will be the ones reviving our economy, especially now we’re in the middle of a crisis due to COVID-19,” he said.

At the start of the 19th Congress, the senator filed a bill institutionalizing the Department of Trade and Industry’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) program to help boost recovery and promote innovation among MSMEs.

The bill seeks to assist and capacitate MSMEs in developing new, innovative and more complex products and services through significant improvement in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, sustainability and securing licenses, product registration and other market authorization, among others.

The senator was also instrumental in the implementation of the Small Business Wage Subsidy program at the height of the pandemic.

The program provided eligible workers who were unable to work or get paid during the enhanced community quarantine with two tranches of financial assistance.

Go and his outreach team distributed meals, grocery packs, masks, vitamins and shirts to 301 beneficiaries gathered at the Tagoloan Dome.

Go also provided bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, watches and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals.

Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended livelihood assistance grants to the qualified recipients.