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"The Department of Trade and Industry shall allocate Five
million pesos (P5,000,000) out of its savings for the initial operating
expenses of the Council, after which, the Council's budget shall be
included in the annual appropriation of the Department of Trade and
Industry.
"The Council may, from time to time, call upon the
participation of any government agency or association of local
government officials in its deliberations especially when such agency
is directly or indirectly concerned with and/or affecting the growth
and development of small and medium enterprises in any particular
area or manner.
"The Council may create an Executive Committee of five (5)
members elected by the Council from among themselves or their
designated permanent representatives, with at least two (2) members
representing the private sector, and with authority to act for and on
behalf of the Council during intervals of council meetings representing
the private sector, and with authority to act for and on behalf of the
Council during intervals of council meetings, and within the specific
authority granted by the Council."
Sec. 6. Sec. 9 of Republic Act No. 6977 is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Sec. 9. Designation of the Bureau of Small and Medium
Business Development as a Council Secretariat. - The Bureau of
Small and Medium Business Development is hereby designated to
act as the Council Secretariat and shall have the following duties and
functions:
"(1) to prepare, in coordination with local government units
and/or associations of local government officials, and
recommend annual as well as medium-term small and
medium enterprises development plans for approval of the
Council;
"(2) to coordinate the preparation of position papers and
background materials for discussion or approval during
Council meetings;
"(3) to assist the Council in coordinating and monitoring small
and medium enterprise policies and programs and activities
of all government agencies with respect to small and medium
enterprises;