Kasangga party list representative files bills on micro-business enterprises

MANILA, Philippines – Two complementary bills filed by Kasangga Party List Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo will strengthen the government’s policy framework to promote and develop micro-entrepreneurship as the backbone of the countryside economy.

Arroyo filed House Bills No. 6530 and 6532 which provides more realistic provisions that can strengthen support for the promotion and development of barangay micro-business enterprises and upgrade the way of life of the marginalized sectors of our population in the barangays.

House Bill No. 6530, an Act to strengthen protection for Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises, amend Section 13 of Republic 9178, increasing the penalty imposed for violation of provisions of the Barangay Micro-Enterprise Law, from a fine of P25,000 to not more than P50,000 to P50,000 and not more than P150,000 and suffer imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years.

The level of penalty provided in this amendatory bill, she said, “ is deemed fair adequate and proper to serve as pivotal deterrent to violations that may be committed under this Act especially in the non-payment of borrowings.”

On the other hand, Arroyo said, House Bill No. 6532 sets the capital assets ceiling for barangay micro-business enterprises to P1 million, a more realistic level for barangay enterprises, lowering the P3-million capital ceiling provided for in Republic Act 9178. P3 million as capital ceiling for barangay micro-business enterprises is considered unrealistic and, “more often, an unreachable resource for the marginalized barangay micro-enterprise businessman.

Both bills can be consolidated at the committee level as essential amendments to Republic Act 9178, together with other measures pending in the committee which are considered relevant and necessary to refine the law.

Republic Act 9178, was approved into law to promote the establishment of barangay micro-business enterprises, providing them incentives and benefits. The law, however, received a lukewarm response from barangay and municipal officials who look with disfavor at the provisions herein amended.

“It is hoped that the amendments proposed in the two bills will recast the lukewarm response to the law and convert the energies of local officials to active promotion and support for the establishment of barangay micro-business enterprises,” Arroyo said.