Some numbers to consider: micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are now considered a growing business sector here in Calabarzon.
In 2022, even as the country’s economy had just started to recover from the worst effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Calabarzon region has the highest numbers of MSMEs recorded with 163,710 registered MSMEs, or 14.81 percent of the national total.
And as the local economy made a full recovery from the pandemic, we could be sure those numbers have increased significantly – but hurdles remain that block these MSMEs from formally contributing to the local economy.
One of these is the high costs of having their businesses registered with the local governments, a necessity for legitimate business establishments. Simply having your business registered can costs thousands of pesos, out of reach for many “mom-and-pop” businesses who often can only “break even” with everyday expenses.
Which is why an ordinance crafted last year by the city government of Biñan, Laguna for what it termed “Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises” (BMBEs) to enable to pay the lowest possible fees for their business permits is a commendable move.
Through the ordinance, in which BMBEs can register their business with the city government for as low as P1,000 to P2,000, more and more MSMEs in Biñan City are now able to contribute to the local economy through their prompt payment of yearly dues.
The simple fact that over 9,100 BMBEs are now registered with the city government last year attests to the success of this tactic of promoting “ease of doing business” in Biñan City.
LGUs in the past have thought of large investments from business conglomerates and industries as the way to go to boost their own economies.
But the recent move of Biñan City now reflects a (belated) paradigm shift of LGUs in
Laguna province subscribing to the maxim, “Ano pa ba ang malaki kundi ang pinagsama-samang maliit?”
And that’s the way it should be.
After all, it’s the “mom-and-pop” businesses, most of which were founded not to amass great wealth but simply to provide livelihood and employment opportunities that are the true backbone of our economy.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #OpinYonEditorial #MSMEs