The Local Government Entrepreneurship class (DMG 244) organized a two-hour learning webinar on 21 May 2021 entitled “Building Local Economic Enterprises Resilience and Embracing the New Normal.” Various local government units (LGUs) in Laguna, government agencies, and UPLB professors and students attended the webinar.
The online event was intended to inform and update various stakeholders about the policies and procedures in establishing local economic enterprises (LEEs) in the country. The event also showcased examples of LEEs and their operations before and during the pandemic. Two guest speakers were invited, Ms. Ella Lorraine Obra, Senior Budget and Management Officer from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Mr. Christian Bueno, City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Officer, from the city government of Cabuyao.
In the opening remarks, Dr. Evelie Serrano, director of the Institute for Governance and Rural Development of CPAf, recognized the important role of LEEs most especially during the current pandemic.
According to Ms. Obra, for LEEs to be effective in its role in local development, they should be self-sustaining and income-generating. She highlighted the importance of conducting a feasibility study to evaluate and analyze the market situation, financial viability and sustainability, organization, and regulations in operating LEEs. Ms. Obra also discussed the different policies and operating principles that govern LEEs.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bueno talked about their champion program, “Making Employment and Livelihood (MEL),” which has been generating direct employment, wage subsidy, livelihood, and human resources development to people who were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also shared about the different programs and projects of Cabuyao City such as the Farmer’s Field School, Work Work Work, and placement of the Athletes Basic School in becoming an income-generating sports complex after the pandemic.
There have been a number of LEEs facing challenges in operation and needing heavy subsidy from the LGUs however, it is still an important instrument to promote and pursue local development. Its success is attributed to the cooperation and partnership of the public and private sector, civil society groups, and other stakeholders. Furthermore, LEEs need to be resilient and innovative to thrive amid the pandemic.
The DMG 244 class, headed by Dr. Miriam Caryl Carada, is composed of Ms. Mel Marie Joy P. Ang, Ms. Maolen Karla M. Boholano, Ms. Angeline Grace C. Galitan, Mr. Joseph Christopher R. Hizon, Mr. Albert Aubrey O. Valencia and Atty. Reynante B. Vibal.
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Jeane Angelu Gutierrez
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