TACLOBAN CITY: The Northern Samar provincial government will be honored at the Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs 2024 at Malacañang Palace in Manila on July 10. The province will be awarded for being an outstanding development partner in the promotion of economic development among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Eastern Visayas Director Celerina Bato said the Northern Samar Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) is the only awardee from the region. "They won for creating and improving the business climate and their support for our MSMEs. We hope that other local governments will replicate what Northern Samar has been doing," Bato told the Philippine News Agency on Monday. The event is organized by DTI as part of MSME Development Week. Established by the provincial government in 2021, PEDIPO is a full-fledged department committed to enhancing the province's economic landscape. John Allen Berbon, PEDIPO chief, said in a phone interview that the presidential award validates their dedication to supporting MSMEs. "Governor Edwin Ongchuan assures that our MSMEs are provided with their needed technology enhancement and livelihood training, learning development interventions and other value-adding factors that will improve their businesses and their products," Berbon said. The provincial government has an active MSME Development Council to advance programs necessary to spur growth and development. Last year, the local government established a "pasalubong" (souvenir) center inside the capitol, selling local products of MSMEs from different towns. Northern Samar was the first in the region to hold a provincial trade fair attended by 44 MSMEs last May. Source: Philippines News Agency