Council urged to strengthen MSME development body

The Baguio City Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (BCMSMEDC) requested the city council to strengthen this body by amending certain provisions of Ordinance No. 58, series of 2024 that created it.

Under BCMSMEDC Resolution No. 3, series of 2025, the council claimed that there is a need to realign, reorganize, and strengthen the composition, functions and operational structure of the body.

Under Ordinance No. 79, series of 2024 that amended certain provisions of Ordinance No. 71 or the Baguio City Investment and Incentives code, it designated the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Division of the City Budget Office to take charge of activities relating to the establishment of support mechanisms for MSMEs and the promotion of local enterprise development.

The council proposed to amend Section 4 of Ordinance 58, series of 2024 to expand the composition of the council to include the representative from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Migrant workers, Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) among others.

Further, the BCMSMEDC shall have a secretariat composed of representatives or staff of the Department of Trade and Industry–Baguio-Benguet provincial office, City Mayor’s Office and City Budget Office–Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Unit. The functions of the secretariat shall coordinate and provide administrative support to all meetings and activities of the council; prepare and circulate meeting agendas, minutes and documentation; facilitate coordination and monitoring of the implementation of council- approved programs and initiatives and perform such other functions as may be assigned by the requesting agency.

The council also proposed the creation of technical working groups (TWGs) to address specialized concerns and operational requirements relating to its core functions, including, but not limited to, data management, livelihood programs and legal and policy development. The TWG shall also assist in drafting policies, guidelines and implementing mechanisms; monitor and evaluate MSME-related programs and projects at the city level; provide technical expertise and serve as resource persons for the council; support the formulation and updating of the LEDP and ensure effective coordination and feedback mechanisms among MSME stakeholders.

The funding requirements for the BCMSMEDC operation shall be included in the annual budget of the City Budget Office–Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Division. – Dexter A. See