BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance seeking the creation of the Baguio City Women Entrepreneur Development Council.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated it is the policy of the local government to give due recognition to the role of women in the socio-economic development of the city and to provide support and assistance to the development of the women sector.
The ordinance mandated the creation of a comprehensive entrepreneurship program for women under which a series of entrepreneurship projects and activities such as skills and management training, livelihood enhancement and various women-oriented seminars and activities with the required support system and mechanisms for the sustainable development and promotion of the city women entrepreneurs will be implemented.
The ordinance pointed out to institute awareness of women entrepreneurs and uphold the city’s commitment to promote and support the growth and development of women entrepreneurs, the month of March will be declared as women entrepreneurs month to coincide with the Baguio women’s month celebration wherein programs and activities shall be implemented by the Baguio City Women Entrepreneur Development Council, which include, but not limited to women entrepreneurs month kick off program, women’s livelihood seminars, women entrepreneurs competition and award-giving or recognition ceremony and women entrepreneurs summit.
The ordinance also mandated the creation of the Baguio City Women Entrepreneurs Development Council which will be composed of the City Mayor as chairperson and co-chaired by the Chairman of the City Council Committee on market, Trade, Commerce and Agriculture with the president or representative of a non-government organization or business sector preferably female to be identified by the chairperson of the council to be appointed by the City Mayor as vice chairperson and to be composed of the Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Social Services, Women and Urban Poor, 3 female representatives from a non-government organization or business sector to be chosen by the City Mayor among the nominees submitted by various business organizations and representative from other government agencies preferably females.
The BCWEDC shall have the primary responsibility for the organization, promotion and development of women-oriented programs and projects, activities and events in areas related to business and career, including those areas determined suitable by way of facilitating and closely coordinating efforts to promote and support the endeavors of the women in the city.
The BCWEDC, in consultation with the sectoral associations, shall draft the implementing rules and regulations for the purpose of enforcing the provisions contained in the measure within six month after the approval of the measure.
The funding for the BCWEDC shall be sourced out from the annual budget appropriated by the local government to finance the Gender Equality and Development (GAD) plans, projects and programs of the city.
The ordinance will still be subjected to further study and recommendation before it will be calendared for second and third readings.
By Dexter A. See
