MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) — The Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (MSME-DC) held its fourth-quarter meeting on Dec. 16 in Cagayan de Oro City to review accomplishments, align strategies, and discuss priority actions for MSME development in the city and province.
Council Chairperson Almarco Brito said that continued collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and partner institutions is central to advancing growth for local enterprises.
“These collaborations serve as a crucial point to review progress, recalibrate ongoing initiatives, and respond to newly emerging challenges in the local business environment,” Brito said.
Brito thanked council members for their service to MSMEs but noted the council cannot rest on its laurels.
“If there are good projects and developments from our end, we can always collaborate with all the concerned organizations, be it government or the private sector,” Brito said.
Brito, also president of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., was installed as the council’s new chairperson, succeeding Raymundo Talimio Jr., who led the council for more than two years.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Raymundo Talimio Jr. for ably leading the council for more than two years and for his contributions in strengthening MSME initiatives in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro,” said Jesusa Abear, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry, Misamis Oriental.
DTI reported that the council approved 11 resolutions in 2025, addressing areas of MSME development, including capacity building, sectoral support, market access, and inter-agency collaboration.
Another milestone cited was the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Information Agency-10, leading to the proposed “Kapihan MSME Talk,” a collaborative online show, showcasing MSME success stories, sharing knowledge and best practices, and fostering entrepreneurship in Northern Mindanao.
“Through this strategic alliance, the council aims to amplify MSME stories, promote wider awareness of support programs, and build a more informed and engaged business community,” Abear said.
Looking ahead to 2026, the council reiterated its commitment to supporting MSMEs and strengthening partnerships for economic growth.
“Together with our regional counterparts, we move toward a more resilient, competitive, and opportunity-rich future for every MSME in Northern Mindanao,” Abear said.
The council has 33 members, representing 17 national government agencies, the provincial government of Misamis Oriental, the Cagayan de Oro City government, seven private-sector organizations, six priority industry clusters, and one academic institution. (SAYU/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
