The House of Representatives Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development chaired by Misamis Oriental Rep. Christian Unabia on Wednesday approved with amendments the unnumbered substitute bill on measures promoting the growth and development of social enterprises to alleviate poverty.
The substitute bill, entitled “Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Act,” replaces House Bills 2112, 4566, 4911, 5554, 6091, 6952 and 8192, which are aimed at offering programs, financial assistance, resources, and incentives to foster the growth, expansion, and sustainability of social enterprises.
The substitute bill is the output of the Technical Working Group (TWG) created to examine and consolidate these measures with HB 6091 serving as the working draft bill. TWG Chairperson and Bukidnon Rep. Jose Manuel Alba discussed in detail the issues presented during the TWG meetings to come up with a consolidated bill. ABANG LINGKOD Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano proposed to include a provision requiring local government units (LGUs) to integrate feasible strategies for the development of social enterprises into their local development planning. Batangas Rep. Mario Vittorio Mariño proposed incorporating into the substitute bill, the creation of a scholarship program that would support the advanced education of social entrepreneurs, to promote sustainability and foster the growth of a more inclusive and active social sector.
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