Cagayan De Oro Rapid Needs Assessment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
Under the Digital Democracy Project of the Makati Business Club, and USAID-CHANGE Project, the local government of Cagayan de Oro conducted a needs assessment survey for CDO-based MSMEs from July to August 2024. An opening assembly was conducted on July 25, 2024, to kick off the survey and explain the objectives and targets to the stakeholders. Highlights of the survey results are the following:
SURVEY OBJECTIVES:
- Conduct a rapid assessment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Cagayan de Oro City.
- Identify the challenges faced by MSMEs, as well as the support and programs they need from the City Government.
SURVEY SUMMARY:
- Survey responses were collected from July 13, 2024 to August 31, 2024 (49 days)
- The survey received a total of 309 responses.
ABOUT THE RESPONDENTS:
- Most respondents are micro (83%), sole proprietorship (88%) businesses primarily catering to local markets within Cagayan de Oro City (88%).
- 15% of respondents declared that their business address is in Barangay 33.
- Most respondents are renting their business facility (57%).
- Most respondents declared their business classification under “other services” (25%), followed by Repair of Motor Vehicles (15%) and Wholesale and Retail Trade (15%)
- Most respondents are NOT a member of any business nor professional organization (73%).
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Most respondents are not aware of Oro-TIPC (72%) and other LGU programs for MSMEs (67%).
- Info about LGU programs is mostly retrieved by respondents from social media (32%) and community meetings (18%).
- The biggest challenges encountered by MSMEs are: 1.) Lack of funds / high cost of operations; 2.) Lack of skills
- Respondents are requesting the following support: 1.) Financial assistance or links to financing channels, and 2.) technical training and workshops.
- The preferred training mode is face-to-face, while the preferred communication platform is social media and SMS/calls.
- Respondents suggested the following LGU programs for MSMEs: 1.) Linkages or access to financing; 2.) Technical training and workshops; 3.) Market assistance programs; and 4.) Simplification of regulatory compliance processes.
- Association analysis suggests that those who have high operational and marketing costs are the ones having the most difficulty in regulatory compliance.
On September 26, 2024, the Cagayan De Oro LGU organized a closing citizen assembly wherein the results of the survey were presented and the stakeholders were engaged to co-create the next steps to address the challenges raised by the respondents. During the citizen assembly, the audience raised questions and concerns about business association membership fees, how the results of the CDO MSME survey compare with other LGUs, recommendations for business associations they can join, and the LGU’s next steps and response to the survey results and concerns raised by MSMEs.
At the closing assembly, CDO Mayor Hon. Rolando A. Uy delivered a message of support, while Asst Dept Head Raelita Legaspi shared the next steps and plans of the LGU to address the challenges and support requests raised in the survey.
Watch the Recording of the Closing Citizen Assembly HERE:
View/Download Full Report HERE:
CDO_724_InitialTo learn more about the Cagayan De Oro Trade and Investments Promotions Center (ORO TIP-C), please visit: https://tipc.cagayandeoro.gov.ph/