CEBU, Philippines - Barangay officials are urged to help strengthen the growth of small enterprises which are deemed enablers of economic development.
Melanie Ng, vice president for business development of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that entrepreneurship is an essential part of the local community's ability to succeed in an ever changing and increasingly competitive global marketplace.
Citing a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the United Nations Children's Fund, Ng said that most barangays are missing the development opportunity to practice fiscal governance and good financial management.
"They (PIDS AND UNICEF) said that many barangays are not efficiently and effectively spending their limited funds for programs, activities and projects with high economic development impact," Ng told officials from 80 barangays in Cebu City in a forum yesterday entitled "ASEAN 101: The Barangay as Enabler of Economic Development."
In an interview at the forum, Philip Zafra, president of the Association of Barangay Captains, said that each barangay in Cebu City is given a range of P6-10 million budget from the city government mainly for infrastructure development which, he added, would help increase economic activity.
Ng urged barangay officials to be enablers of economic development by promoting business activities in their respective communities.
"The concept to transform your role from a traditional service provider to an innovator by steering your local economy as entrepreneur is aimed at meeting the needs of your growing constituents," the CCCI official said.
"You can create an environment conducive to business development and can promote a vibrant economic tempo so that your constituents will be inspired to participate actively," Ng added.
Ng pointed out that barangays should not rely heavily on the internal revenue allotment (IRA) and instead become financially independent.
"It is undoubtedly important to tap the undiscovered wealth in your communities in your communities, not only in terms of human capital and assets but more importantly our social and community pride and natural resources," the official said.//
Melanie Ng, vice president for business development of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that entrepreneurship is an essential part of the local community's ability to succeed in an ever changing and increasingly competitive global marketplace.
Citing a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the United Nations Children's Fund, Ng said that most barangays are missing the development opportunity to practice fiscal governance and good financial management.
"They (PIDS AND UNICEF) said that many barangays are not efficiently and effectively spending their limited funds for programs, activities and projects with high economic development impact," Ng told officials from 80 barangays in Cebu City in a forum yesterday entitled "ASEAN 101: The Barangay as Enabler of Economic Development."
In an interview at the forum, Philip Zafra, president of the Association of Barangay Captains, said that each barangay in Cebu City is given a range of P6-10 million budget from the city government mainly for infrastructure development which, he added, would help increase economic activity.
Ng urged barangay officials to be enablers of economic development by promoting business activities in their respective communities.
"The concept to transform your role from a traditional service provider to an innovator by steering your local economy as entrepreneur is aimed at meeting the needs of your growing constituents," the CCCI official said.
"You can create an environment conducive to business development and can promote a vibrant economic tempo so that your constituents will be inspired to participate actively," Ng added.
Ng pointed out that barangays should not rely heavily on the internal revenue allotment (IRA) and instead become financially independent.
"It is undoubtedly important to tap the undiscovered wealth in your communities in your communities, not only in terms of human capital and assets but more importantly our social and community pride and natural resources," the official said.//
