CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recorded a total of 6,805 Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) registrations in Central Luzon in 2024.
Bulacan leads with 2,536 registrations; followed by Pampanga with 1,030; Aurora, 845; Nueva Ecija, 838; Tarlac, 582; Zambales, 545; and Bataan, 429.
DTI Regional Director Edna Dizon said that registering as a BMBE provides small businesses with a competitive edge because they would have access to loan programs, and receive training on entrepreneurship. They are exempt from minimum wage law, but should be compliant with labor standards.
“Republic Act 9178, otherwise known as the BMBE Act of 2002, states that business enterprises with total assets of P3 million and below may register as BMBEs. We strongly encourage our micro entrepreneurs to register to unlock valuable benefits. They are the backbone of our economy and we want to empower them and support their businesses to grow,” she pressed.
(The Department of Trade and Industry calls on micro enterprises operating in the barangays to register as Barangay Micro Business Enterprises to avail of tax incentives and other support extended by the government.)
Interested enterprises must complete a BMBE Registration form, valid government-issued ID, and a financial statement or affidavit of asset size, which will then be submitted to the city or municipal government for issuance of the BMBE Certificate. Registration is free and valid for two years, and is renewable.
Meanwhile, to make registration more accessible, the BMBE process is also conducted online and is free of charge.
For more information, micro entrepreneurs may visit the nearest DTI Negosyo Center for guidance on how to register and maximize the benefits of being a BMBE. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA Region 3, Pampanga)
