ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya called on barangay leaders to look at entrepreneurship with a developmental mindset to help their constituents in the long term.
Maglaya made the call to the barangay officials, who attended the Zamboanga Peninsula Barangay Negosyo Summit held in this city last Monday.
Barangay Negosyo Summit was the first in the country and was conceptualized and initiated by DTI 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).
Maglaya said the summit aims to invite all barangay chairpersons in the region, together with at least one micro and small entrepreneur in their area.
“Entrepreneurship can bring revenue to their barangay. They should look at this as a help to their constituents and the barangay as a whole. The jobs it will create and capacitating their constituents," Maglaya said.
"Imagine our barangay officials who will not be pestered late at night by their constituents asking for emergency financial assistance because they already have money. They are now capable.”
Maglaya said barangay officials should treat the initiative as a great opportunity to empower their constituents, and in creating economic activity in the barangays with DTI as partner.
“What we want is for our officials to look for those who are interested in entrepreneurship and who need our help. They know better the people in their area. We, on the other hand, will come and talk to them and help them with their needs,” she said.
Maglaya added that capacitating the public to engage in business is essential amid surging prices of commodities.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar of Zamboanga City pledged her support to DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment in their endeavors for the people of this city and Zamboanga Peninsula.
The Zamboanga Peninsula Barangay Negosyo Summit was attended by more than 1,500 barangay officials and micro, small and medium entrepreneurs all over the region. (PNA/with DTI-9 PR)
