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and provincial offices, shall to the best of their effort and in
coordination with local government units, provide the
necessary support and assistance to small and medium
enterprises.
"(d) Decentralization. - The State shall accelerate the
decentralization process by establishing regional and
provincial offices in order to enhance and attain greater
efficiency in the provision of services to the countryside and
the implementation of this Act, in coordination with local
government units. To this end, the government agencies shall
effect a substantial delegation of authority to their regional
and provincial offices to make decisions, particularly in the
registration of beneficiaries of this law, qualification for
availment of benefits, accreditation of private voluntary
organizations, industry associations and cooperatives, and
to resolve complaints for violation of applicable laws.
Sec. 4. Sec. 6 of Republic Act. No. 6977 is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"SEC. 6. Creation of a Small and Medium Enterprise
Development Council. - To effectively spur the growth and development
of small and medium enterprises throughout the country, and to carry
out the policy declared in this Act, a Small and Medium Enterprise
Development (SMED) Council is hereby created. The Council shall
be attached to the Department of Trade and Industry and shall be
constituted within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act.
"The Council shall be the primary agency responsible for the
promotion, growth and development of small and medium enterprises
in the country by way of facilitating and closely coordinating national
efforts to promote the viability and growth of small and medium
enterprises, including assisting relevant agencies in the tapping of
local and foreign funds for small and medium enterprise development,
as well as promoting the use of existing programs, as well as seeking
ways to maximize the use of our labor resources."
Sec. 5. Sec. 7 of Republic Act No. 6977 is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Sec. 7. Composition. - The Council shall be headed by the
Secretary of Trade and Industry as Chairman, and may elect from
among themselves a Vice-Chairman to preside over the Council
meetings in the absence of the Chairman.
The