THE Bacolod City Council approved a resolution requesting all Bacolodnons to support the Buyanihan Program or the "Buy Local, Go Lokal" of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help the local entrepreneurs and revive the city's economy.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Simplicia Distrito, was approved during the regular session of the City Council Wednesday, July 15.

It was also co-authored by Councilors Dindo Ramos, Al Victor Espino and Bartolome Orola.

Distrito said the Buyanihan Program was launched by the companies, business organizations and members of the private sector and supported by the DTI.

She said the Buyanihan Program was initiated by the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) and DTI in partnership with the Go Negosyo, SM Super Malls, Globe My Business, PLDT KaAsenso, Security Bank, Union Bank, Sea Oil, Farmacia ni Dok, Philippine Association of National Advertisers and the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

Distrito noted the program primarily aims to promote the purchase of the local businesses or the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as they are severely affected by the ongoing pandemic.

"Our local businesses and MSMEs are contributors in our economy, they provide employment and at the same time the taxes as they pay support our local government unit. Supporting the program will positively improve consumer confidence and will improve in recovering our economy despite the crisis," Distrito said.

She said all Bacolodnons are urged to support this program by purchasing products from the local businesses and MSMEs in the city and to avail the services they also provide.

"In this crucial period of our lives, we need to support and help each other to survive the pandemic and one way to show the same is to simply patronize our local products and services," she added.