Gordon bats for intensified MSME dev’t

The reported rise in the country’s unemployment rate should spur the government to intensify its efforts to speed up the development of the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).

"More than providing funding and technical support for the rapid development of MSMEs, we should link these MSMEs to our country’s successful economic development programs. This is a fast and sure-fire way of providing jobs and livelihood opportunities for our countrymen," said senatorial candidate Dick Gordon in reaction to the increase in the numbers of unemployed as reported by the National Statistics Office recently.

Gordon pointed out while the government has vigorously pursued the rapid development of MSMEs providing billions of pesos in loans and continuous MSME training seminars, it still has to follow through with more effective policy initiatives that will link these MSMEs to national and regional development programs.

"The name of the game is still speed. We must create more jobs and livelihood at faster rates if we are going to bring down the level of unemployment to less than 10 percent," said Gordon.

Gordon, cited the 3-2-1 development program for Central and Northern Luzon as a prime example, saying that the development program would bring foreign investments to areas near Luzon’s three major airport (Subic, Clark and Manila), two major seaports (Manila and Subic) and one national highway (North Expressway).

The springing up of large corporation along these areas would create jobs for thousands as well as huge demands for goods and services which MSMEs could provide.

"We will not only provide thousands of jobs for our countrymen. It will also create a fertile seed bed for MSME growth along the areas covered by 3-2-1 and in no time, we’ll see our economy rocketing skyward," added Gordon.