The Ilocos Norte provincial government is urging the national government agencies, regional line agencies, and other government agencies holding offices in the province to support local businesses in the province by purchasing goods and services by the local community.
On Monday, March 13, the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) unanimously approved Draft Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-02-026 prescribing for the allocation of at least 10 percent of their total procurement value for the purchase of locally produced goods and services from eligible micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.
Board member Portia Pamela Salenda, who sponsored the resolution, said that the ordinance supports Republic Act 9501 or the Magna Carta for MSMEs, adopting its salient features and ensuring its implementation in the province.
“Ilocos Norte has approximately 11,230 MSMEs who are into manufacturing/processing, making up at least 99 percent of the total registered businesses in the province,” she said, noting that there is a need to support the growth and development of the sector.
