Focus on small, medium industries sought

Senator Loren Legarda urged the government to focus on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to spur growth and create jobs in the face of the continuing global economic downturn.

"Whether or not we fear the current slowdown in global economy, the important thing is for the government to have focus on worthwhile endeavor," Legarda said.

The chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, Legarda said the government must encourage small and medium industries that produce basic necessities, with emphasis on food production.

"We just don't realize the big role the informal sector plays each time the economy's growth goes dipping," Legarda pointed out. "These industries save the day for many breadwinners."

Legarda also encouraged the government to be more active in its livelihood programs to help those who may be laid off domestically and abroad.

Legarda explained that farming, planting and livestock raising are some of the backyard businesses awaiting the Filipinos, especially in the provinces.

A law pushed by Legarda, this MSME Law, seeks to harmonize all government activities providing livelihood and skills training for Filipinos.

"With this law, efficiency in delivering such services and programs to their intended beneficiaries, the poorest of the poor, would be ensured," said Legarda, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice and Rural Development.

There may be a need to refocus the people's thinking that the jobs are to be had in the metropolis and urban areas, when focus should be on agriculture now more than ever, Legarda said.

"What we need is for us to go back to the basics," said Legarda, adding that the Filipinos should have prudence in spending.

The Filipinos' mindset, according to Legarda, is to mistake wants for needs which causes problem in managing their meager resources.

"The people should have financial literacy to determine needs from wants," she said.

With still no sign of relief seen in the world financial distress, Legarda said the government must also effect belt-tightening measures by allocating its scarce budget to livelihood programs, agriculture, health care and education.

"For example, this is not a time for government to spend on junkets abroad," she said.