Higher budget for gov’t aid to MSMEs sought

MANILA, Philippines — Four members of the House of Representatives want a higher budget for the government’s aid to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which continue to reel from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Resolution No. 2228 urges Congress to increase the budget for the Department of Trade and Industry’s programs for MSMEs by at least P1.623 billion.

“There is a critical and urgent need to increase the budget of the DTI, its attached agencies and the Small Business Corp. for 2022 in the amount of P1.623 billion to protect … and serve the MSMEs severely affected by the pandemic,” the measure said.

—JULIE M. AURELIO