LUNA, Apayao – DTI-Apayao on Monday said there are 2,726 registered businesses in the province, and they play a great role in economic growth because of the taxes they contribute.
Recently, Apayao has seen exceptional growth in its micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the number of businesses advancing from micro to small, small to medium, and beyond.
According to DTI-Apayao OIC Daisy Quimuyug during the Investment forum, many businesses have transformed and upgraded into bigger enterprises, enabling them to contribute greatly to the local economy provincewide.
Data from DTI showed that from 2021 to 2022, the number of MSMEs in the province surged by 31 percent. This growth continued at a steady pace, with a 17 percent increase from 2022 to 2023.
In 2022, Conner had the largest share of MSMEs – 26% of the province’s total. Flora led in upgrading enterprises from micro to small, while Luna had the most transitions from small to medium.
In 2023, Luna took the lead in MSME representation, accounting for 25 percent of the province’s total number of businesses and continued to excel in small-to-medium transitions. Flora maintained its strength in micro-to-small upgrades.
The progress underscores the importance of continued support to MSMEs through government initiatives, access to financing, and capacity-building programs with sustained growth that highlights the resilience of Apayao entrepreneurs and the province’s potential as a growing business hub in the region. By Joyce Arian Soria
