Local entrepreneurs have earned over P9 million in total receipted sales from the conduct of Sunday Showcase along Session Road for a period of two years since its inception in August 2019 to present.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong said the Sunday Session Road Showcase is part of the collaborative programs of the city government with the Department of Trade and Industry as well as the Department of Agriculture to strengthen the livelihood of local entrepreneurs amidst the ongoing pandemic.
“Livelihood and entrepreneurial service is evident in the way we have transformed Session Road as a regular Sunday venue for family fun and bonding as well as artistic displays of admirable creativity, and a showcase of local entrepreneurship through our strong collaboration with DTI-CAR,” the mayor said.
To date, P9.3 million pesos in receipted sales have been recorded from these home-grown micro-small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs).
In his State of the City Address during the 112th Baguio Charter Day celebration on September 1, the mayor announced the increasing level of business confidence in the city with key business and tourism leaders spearheading economic recovery programs to help affected sectors in re-growing their operations.
These are manufacturing, business outsourcing, commerce and trading, public and private education through blended learning schemes, transportation operations and mobility and the much-beleaguered tourism industry, according to the mayor.
To assist the MSMEs affected by the pandemic, the city government in partnership with the Small Business Corporation under the DTI-CAR rolled-out the Revitalization Actions for a Vibrant Economy–Economic Stimulus Package (BRAVE-ESP) program giving financial loans to about 200 small business owners in the city for them to recover and restart their business operations.
Meanwhile, the Pony Boys Association at Wright Park have been registered with the Department of labor and Employment enabling them to avail of training and livelihood packages from the national agency.
In support to food and livelihood security, the city is also reviving agricultural production by establishing 33 urban agriculture sites and two technological demonstration sites for tilapia production.
Mayor Magalong said all these efforts are geared towards reviving the economy despite the setback due to the ongoing pandemic.
In return, Baguio City was bestowed the Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines award courtesy of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
At least 21,621 business permits were issued corresponding business tax generated at P261,687,520 for the first eight months of the year. – Jessa Samidan