This local government unit has committed to allocating PHP1 million annually to support the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in this capital town of Antique.

“We will be having an incubation program so that we can support the MSMEs in maximizing their potential,” San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Paul Joseph Untaran said in an interview on Monday.

The allocation will be utilized to aid three budding entrepreneurs, as he cited that there are MSMEs that could not sustain local production due to the lack of financial support.

Untaran also requested the Tourism Office to profile their MSMEs so the local government can help in their promotion and eventually become their One-Town-One Product.

The local government will also coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in terms of conceptualizing and implementing the incubation program.

“The MSMEs that could not receive financial assistance from the LGU will be referred to the DSWD-Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP),” he said.

Untaran hoped that the DSWD-SLP would support them in realizing their potential.

The mayor attended the opening of the ‘Obra (Craftmanship) Antiqueño’ trade fair at the Robinsons Place in San Jose de Buenavista on Monday, admiring the products from his town, including the pouches, bags, wearables, and homewares, among others. (PNA)